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WITH  COMPLIMENTS  OF 

WM.  EARNSHAW, 

President  Historical  and  Monumental  Society, 
NATIONAL  SOLDIERS'  HOME,  DAYTON,  OHIO. 


/SVA-v 


OF 


THE  NATIONAL  HOME 


FOR 


Disabled  Volunteer  Soldiers: 


WITH     A 


COMPLETE  GUIDE-BOOK  TO  THE  CENTRAL  HOME, 


AT 


DAYTON,  OHIO. 


VBITTEN  AND  COMPILED 

By  a  Veteran  of  the  Home. 


/"  J.  C  .  6 

t- 


DAYTON,  OHIO : 

UNITED  BEETHREN  PRINTING  ESTABLISHMENT. 
1875. 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1875, 

BY  CHAPLAIN  WM.  EARNSHAW. 
In  the  office  of  the  Librarian  of  Congress,  at  Washington,  D.  C. 


STEKBOTVPKD    AT  THE 

United  Brethren  Publishing  House, 

DAYTON,    OHIO. 


THE   HOME   AVENUE    RAILROAD   DEPOT. 


TO  THE 

HONORABLE  BOARD  OF  MANAGERS 

OF    THE 

NATIONAL  HOUE  FOB  DISABLED  VOLUNTEER  SOLDIERS, 

THIS  VOLUME 

IS  RESPECTFULLY  INSCRIBED. 


INTRODUCTION. 


In  placing  before  the  public  a  history  of  the  Na- 
tional Home  for  disabled  Volunteer  Soldiers,  it  is 
proper  to  state  that  much  of  the  matter  is  compiled 
from  articles  written  by  correspondents  of  leading 
newspapers,  especially  those  of  Dayton  and  Cin- 
cinnati, Ohio.  From  the  organization  of  the  Home  in 
March,  1867,  these  articles  were  carefully  preserved, 
with  many  other  data,  and  eventually  placed  in  the 
hands  of  Mr.  J.  C.  Gobrecht,  a  veteran  of  the  late 
war,  who  was  employed  to  prepare  the  work  for  the 
press. 

In  publishing  this  book  one  of  the  most  prominent 
objects  of  the  "  Historical  and  Monumental  Society," 
organized  three  years  since,  has  been  attained,  and 
the  profits  of  the  sales  will  be  devoted  to  the  comple- 
tion of  the  beautiful  monument  described  in  this 
book. 

I  do  not  hesitate  to  say  that  this  history  may  be  re- 
lied upon  as  truthful,  and  that  the  illustrations  impart 


VI  INTRODUCTION. 

a  favorable  impression  of  some  of  the  principal  build- 
ings and  localities  of  the  Home.  During  the  eight 
years  since  the  organization  over  two  hundred  thou- 
sand persons  have  visited  this  great  national  institu- 
tion, many  hundreds  of  whom  have  regretted  on 
leaving  that  they  could  not  take  with  them  a 
reliable  description  or  history  of  the  place;  and 
those  who  have  heard  these  regrets  have  in  turn 
many  times  regretted  that  they  had  not  the  power 
to  meet  this  want.  Assured  that  the  case  has  been 
fully  met,  the  history  is  now  submitted  to  the  public, 
with  the  hope  that  it  may  be  pleasing  to  the  many 
earnest  friends  of  the  nation's  defenders. 

WM.  EARNSHAW, 

President  Historical  and  Monumental  Society. 


CONTENTS. 


PAGE. 

The  Soldier's  Reward « „ 17 

The  Nation's  Defenders _ 20 

The  Government  Nobly  Performs  its  Duty 22 

Care  for  the  Survivors -Pension  and  Pension  Rolls 25 

The  Establishment  of  Soldiers'  Homes..™ M 27 

The  Central  Home  at  Dayton,  Ohio 28 

The  Eastern  Branch  near  Augusta,  Maine 29 

The  North-western  Branch,  Milwaukee,  Wisconsin , 30 

The  Southern  Branch,  near  Fortress  Monroe,  Virginia— The  Objects 

and  Purposes  of  the  National  Homes 32 

Requirements  for  Admission 35 

Historical  incidents  of  the  Central  Home -36 

EXTRACTS  JBOM  BOARD  OP  MANAGERS*   REPORT. 

Central  Home 40 

Out-door  Relief _ 44 

Report  of  Hon.  L.  B.  Gunckel 45 

Acts  of  Congress  relating  to  Soldiers'  Homes 48 


Viii  CONTENTS. 

PAGE. 

Board  of  Managers 50 

Complete  Guide-Book  to  Central  Home 51 

How  to  Visit  the  Home— Internal  Government  of  the  Home 52 

Reception  of  Inmates 53 

Payment  of  Money „..! 54 

Re-admission  to  the  Home 55 

Pensioners  and  Non-pensioners— Order  and  Cleanliness— Passes 

and  Furloughs 56 

Discharges 57 

Discipline 58 

Average  Rate  of  Wages  paid— Elective  Franchise 59 

Number  of  Inmates— Employment  of  Inmates 60 

Meeting  of  the  Board  of  Managers— The  Attractions  of  the  Home— 

The  Depot 61 

The  Field  Battery— Head-quarters,  Library,  and  Reading-room 64 

Donations 69 

The  Church 70 

THK  HOSPITAL. 

The  Interior 78 

The  Basement 80 

Who  have  done  the  Work ~...  82 

The  Aviary— The  Lake 88 

Flower  Gardens— The  Martindale  Conservatory -  89 

The  Alocasia— Aralia  Paphyfirifeara 90 


CONTENTS,  ix 

PAGE. 

The  Agave  Americana  or  Century  Plant— Cycas  Revoluta 91 

The  Cactus  Aquafolia— Cactus  Serpentina— Euchoris  Grandiflora  or 

Night-blooming  Cereus — Miniature  Island 92 

Shady  Groves-The  Deer  Park 93 

The  Menagerie— Stone  Quarry— Officers'  Residences 94 

Amusement  Hall— Music  Hall 95 

The  Camp 96 

Band  Pagoda— The  Barracks 97 

Grand  Dining-Hall  Building 98 

interior  of  the  new  Dining-Hall 100 

Opening  of  the  Dining-Hall 101 

Regulations  of  the  Dining-Hall 109 

The  Laundry 118 

Repairing-Shops— Industrial  Resources  of  the  Home 114 

Workshops 115 

Saw-mill  and  Engine-House 117 

The  Wagon-shop— Upholster-shop— Tin-shop 118 

The  Shoe-shop— Tailor-shop 119 

Broom  Factory— Cigar  Manufactory 120 

Stocking  Manufactory 121 

Book-bindery— Harness-shop— Printing  Office 123 

Quartermaster's  Department— Post-office 125 

The  Chaplain's  Residence— The  Cemetery 127 

A  Soldier's  Funeral— Fire  Brigade  and  Water-supply 133 

The  Day-school .>„.,.•. -  134 


X  CONTENTS. 

PAGE. 

Dentist  and  Barbers— Bulletin  Board— Police  Head-quarters 136 

The  Guard-House,  Stables  and  Carriage-house 137 

Farm  and  Garden 138 

The  Home  of  the  Chickens— The  Apple  Orchard— Peach  and  Pear 

Orchard „ 139 

The  Vineyard— Vegetable  Garden— Farm  and  Stock 140 

Daily  Routine— Muster  and  Inspection  Day 142 

Auction  Sales 143 

Associations  of  the  Home — Base-ball  Club— Historical  and  Monu- 
mental Society 144 

Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  Veteran  Post  No.  5 145 

Good  Templars— The  Guardians 146 

How  Anniversary  Days  of. -Rejoicing,  etc.,  are  Observed  at  the 

Home— Fourth  of  July 149 

Washington's  Birth-day 156 

Decoration  Day 157 

Annual  meeting  of  the  Board  of  Managers 159 

Christmas  and  Thanksgiving  at  the  Home 178 

St.  Patricks  day  at  the  Home 176 

Outside  Associations 179 

Pioneers  of  the  Miami  Valley 180 

Visit  of  Qov.  Allen  to  the  Home 184 

Gen.  Hooker's  Visit  to  the  Home 187 

Big  Injins  at  the  Home— Pipe  of  Peace  Smoked— Grand  Pow-wow 

Generally • •••• .••.•• • 184 


CONTENTS.  XI 

PAGE. 

General  Sherman's  Visit  to  the  Home  on  Decoration -day,  May 

30,1870 189 

Visit  of  President  Grant,  Wife  and  Daughter,  October  3, 1870 198 

Mr.  Jas.  E.  Murdock  at  the  Home .; 201 

The  Lingard  Comedy  Company  at  the  Home 203 

Soldiers'  Gratitude  to  the  Ladies  of  Dayton 205 

Anna  Dickinson  at  the  Home 200 

Bayard  Taylor  at  the  Home 208 

Masonic  Visit  to  the  Home 209 

Distinguished  Visitors— The  Ladies  of  the  Home 210 

The  Veteran's  Benefactress,  Mrs.  Mary  Lowell  Putnam 211 

Reception  of  Mrs.  Mary  Lowell  Putnam 212 

A  Veteran's  Account  of  Mrs.  Putnam's  Visit 217 

Hon.  Lewis  B    Gunckel,  Secretary  of  Board  of  Managers 220 

The  Adjutant's  Office 221 

The  Treasurer's  Office 223 

Pensioners 224 

OFFICERS  AND  EX-OFFICKRS  OF  THE  HOME. 

Col   E.  F.  Brown,  Governor 225 

Maj.  Jerome  B.  Thomas,  Treasurer 230 

Capt.  R.  E.  Fleming,  Secretary 232 

Dr.  Jas.  M.  Weaver,  Surgeon 234 

Chaplain  Wm.  Earnshaw 235 

Captain  Wm.  Thompson,  Steward 237 

Mrs.  E.  L.  Miller,  Matron 238 

Dr.  A  S.  Dunlap,  Assistant  Surgeon 239 


Xli  CONTENTS.  [ 

PAGE. 

EX-OFFICERS. 

Dr.  Clarke  McDermont 240 

Capt.  A.  P.  Woodruff 241 

Dr.  S.  K.  Towle 242 

Capt.  Wm.  H.  Lough 243 

Maj.  Edward  Everett  Tracy 244 

Gen.  Timothy  Ingraham 245 

NON-COMMISSIONED  STAFF. 

Captain  E.  C.  Nichols,  Chief  Ward-master 

Sergeant  Silas  Crowell - 

**       Rudolph  Ilciutz ...... 

"       Daniel  Williams 

**       Richard  Dunn 

"       Lewis  J.  Jones 

••       Edwin  K.  Crebbin 

**       Andrew  Kennedy 

M      Jean  H.  Willener 

"       James  M.  Larkin 

**       Joseph  R.  Keene 

•'       Emil  Wilde 

"       David  W.  Carr .. 

**       Lafayette  Knapp 

*'       Burgess  E.  Blackmcir ...« 

**       Francis  J.  Amory 

"  .    Moses  Thannhauser 


CONTENTS.  Xiii 

PAGE. 

Band.    George  M.  Hanley 246 

The  Brown  Guard 247 

OFFICERS  OF  THE  BKOWN  GUARD. 

Captain— J.  H.  Chapman - 

First  Lieutentant-J.  H.  Wildener 

Second  Lieutenant  Jas.  M.  Bermingham 

First  Sergeant — Martin  Allen 

Second  Sergeant— John  M.  Beck 

Third  Sergeant— Andrew  J.  Kennedy „ 

Fourth  Sergeant -Martin  Schlieff 


Fifth  Sergeant— George  W.  Day 

2 


ILLUSTRATIONS. 


PAGE. 
Head-quarters— Frontispiece. 

The  Porter's  Lodge 20 

Home  Avenue  Railroad  Depot 3 

The  Hospital 50 

Hospital  Carriage  and  Horses 65 

The  Monument 80 

The  Garden  and  Conservatory 95 

The  Deer  Park 110 

The  Thoroughbred  Cattle 125 

The  Church , 140 

Interior  of  the  Church 155 

The  Putnam  Library 170 

The  Dining-Hall 185 

The  Thomas  Library 200 

The  Barracks 215 


LIB 
CALIFORNIA. 


NATIONAL  SOLDIERS'  HOME. 


"  What  flower  is  this  that  greets  the  morn, 
Its  hues  from  heaven  so  freshly  born  ? 
With  burning  star  and  flaming  band, 
It  kindles  all  the  sunset  land : — 
Oh !  tell  us  what  its  name  may  be; 
Is  this  the  flower  of  liberty  ? 
It  is  the  banner  of  the  free, 
The  starry  flag  of  Liberty  !  " 


THE  SOLDIER'S  REWARD. 

The  maimed  and  crippled  soldier,  prostrated  in 
his  physical  powers  and  thereby  rendered  incom- 
petent for  the  active  duties  of  life,  is  no  longer 
without  a  "local  habitation  and  a  name,"  of 
which,  alas  !  too  many  have  been  deprived  by  the 
consequences  of  "  grim-visaged  war."  By  the 
wise  forethought  and  liberality  of  a  grateful  peo- 
ple, he  is  now  enabled  to  realize  a  far  better  re- 
ward for  his  services  than  the  starving  prospects 
of  a  posthumous  fame.  The  ample  provision 
which  a  humane  and  generous  government  has 

17 


18  THE   NATIONAL   HOME  FOR 

made  for  his  present  and  future  earthly  comfort, 
is  to  him  of  far  more  importance  than  the  in- 
scription of  his  name  upon  the  loftiest  memorial 
pile. 

"  To  win  a  name  in  story 

That  shall  never  know  decay ; 
What  is  fame  when  he  who  won  it, 
Can  not  hear  what  people  say." 

The  Soldiers'  Home  is  a  "  living  monument;'* 
one  upon  which  the  war-worn  veteran  may  gaze 
with  pleasurable  emotion  as  he  proudly  contem- 
plates it  and  exclaims :  "  1  live  in  the  hearts  of  my 
countrymen ! " 

To  the  United  States  belongs  the  honor  of  es- 
tablishing military  retreats  fully  calculated  to 
convey  the  impression  of  a  home,  with  the  sur- 
rounding influences  of  its  freedom,  its  usefulness, 
and  its  enjoyments.  Other  nations,  it  is  true,  have 
not  been  forgetful  in  the  bestowment  of  honors 
and  rewards  upon  their  returned  warriors,  and  in 
providing  for  their  sick  and  wounded,  but  it  re- 
mained for  the  American  people  to  administer  to 
the  necessities  of  her  brave  and  deserving  soldiers 
by  calling  into  lively  exercise  that  better  attribute 
of  human  nature  which  teaches  to  feel  another's 
woe.  Republics,  then,  it  is  clearly  settled,  are  not 
ungrateful. 

History  affords-  some  instances  of  substantial 


DISABLED    VOLUNTEER  SOLDIERS.  19 

marks  of  appreciation  in  which  other  nations 
held  the  services  of  their  soldiers,  which  it  may 
be  well  to  notice  here  as  forming  a  contrast  with 
what  has  been  done  in  later  days  on  the  American 
continent.  The  armies  of  Egypt,  as  mentioned 
in  ancient  history,  are  the  first  of  which  we  have 
any  positive  knowledge.  The  warlike  caste  of 
Egypt  was  divided  into  two  classes,  the  hermetybii 
and  calasirii — the  first  one  hundred  and  sixty 
thousand,  the  other  two  hundred  and  fifty  thou- 
sand strong,  in  the  best  times.  It  appears  that 
these  two  classes  were  distinguished  from  each 
other  merely  by  age  or  length  of  service,  so  that 
the  calasirii,  after  a  certain  number  of  years,  passed 
into  the  hermetybii,  or  reserve.  The  whole  army 
was  settled  in  military  colonies,  and  an  ample 
extent  of  lands  were  set  apart  to  each  man  as 
an  equivalent  for  his  services.  Modern  history 
points  us  to  the  grand  undertaking  of  Louis  XIV., 
who  in  1670  founded  the  establishment  at  Paris 
known  as  the  Hotel  des  Invalides.  The  edifice, 
which  covers  sixteen  acres  of  ground,  can  furnish 
accommodation  for  five  thousand  inmates.  All 
soldiers,  whether  of  land  or  sea,  who  were  actu- 
ally disabled  by  wounds,  or  have  served  thirty-six 
years  and  obtained  a  pension,  are  entitled  to  the 
privileges  of  the  institution.  In  1682  Charles  II. 
founded  the  military  asylum  at  Chelsea,  England. 


20  THE  NATIONAL   HOME   FOK 

It  was  completed  at  a  cost  of  $750,000,  and  was 
built  to  accommodate  five  hundred  resident  pen- 
sioners, besides  which  there  was  a  large  body 
of  out-pensioners.  Greenwich  Hospital,  on  the 
banks  of  the  Thames  River,  was  opened  for  dis- 
abled seamen  in  the  year  1705.  The  edifice  con- 
sists of  four  quadrangular  buildings,  inclosing  a 
square  each,  bearing  the  name  of  the  sovereign 
in  whose  reign  it  was  erected.  Let  us  now  con- 
sider what  has  been  done  for 

OUR  NATION'S  DEFENDERS. 

The  whole  number  of  men  enlisted  during  the 
late  war  of  the  rebellion  was  two  millions  six 
hundred  and  eighty  thousand  five  hundred  and 
twenty-five.  At  the  termination  of  active  mil- 
itary movements  in  1865,  two  hundred  and  four 
government  hospitals,  with  capacity  for  one  hun- 
dred and  thirty-six  thousand  eight  hundred  and 
ninety-four  beds,  were  in  operation.  Within  the 
next  eight  months  upward  of  one  hundred  and 
seventy  of  these  establishments  were  discontinued, 
and  the  vast  accumulation  of  surplus  medicines 
and  hospital  supplies  were  disposed  of  at  auction. 
Most  of  the  surgeons  of  volunteers  and  chaplains 
to  the  hospitals  were  mustered  out  of  service  dur- 
ing the  year.  The  returns  of  sick  and  wounded 
show  that  the  number  of  cases  treated  in  govern- 


THE  PORTER'S  LODGE. 

L  I 

j  UNIVERSITY   OF  jj 

<  ALIFORM  I  A. 


DISABLED  VOLUNTEER  SOLDIERS.  21 

ment  hospitals  from  1861  to  July  1865  amounted 
to  one  million  fifty-seven  thousand  four  hundred 
and  twenty- three. 

The  charitable  associations  which  had  been 
called  into  existence  by  the  war  now  found  the 
necessity  for  their  services  removed.  In  the  brief 
but  bloody  campaign  of  March  and  April,  1865, 
the  Sanitary  Commission  continued  its  noble  and 
humane  work.  The  sick  and  wounded  were  cared 
for,  their  friends  informed  of  their  situation,  their 
pensions,  bounties,  and  back  pay  collected ;  and 
when  the  armies  were  finally  disbanded  the  sol- 
diers' homes  were  thrown  open  all  along  their  va- 
rious routes  to  welcome  them,  and  agents  of  the 
commission  met  them  at  railroad  stations  and 
steamboat  landings  to  invite  them  to  the  homes 
and  lodges,  and  to  protect  them  as  far  as  possible 
from  fraud.  The  commission  also  greatly  increas- 
ed their  agencies,  and,  without  fee  or  reward,  col- 
lected the  arrearages  and  pay  due  to  the  soldiers. 
It  established  at  its  central  depot  in  Washing- 
ton, with  branches  in  all  the  principal  cities,  bu- 
reaus of  information  and  employment,  for  securing 
to  all  soldiers  desiring  employment  such  situations 
as  they  were  capable  of  filling.  The  receipts  of 
the  commission  during  the  spring  months  were 
large,  but  its  disbursements  were  larger.  On  the 
1st  of  June,  1865,.  a  sanitary  fair  was  opened  in 


22  THE   NATIONAL   HOME    FOB 

Chicago,  Illinois,  for  the  purpose  of  raising  funds 
for  the  maintenance  of  the  claim  agencies,  and 
other  agents  of  the  commission  which  were  deem- 
ed advisable  to  continue  in  operation.  About 
§325,000,  above  all  expenses,  were  received.  It 
was  officially  announced  on  the  26th  of  April,  1865, 
that  the  contributions  to  the  commission  from 
California  to  that  date  amounted  to  $1,199,675.51; 
that  of  Nevada  to  $99,512.46;  Oregon,  $20,733.92; 
making  a  total  from  the  Pacific  slope  of  $1,395- 
539.45.  The  Metropolitan  Fair  in  New  York 
yielded  $1,184,145,  and  the  Central  Fair  in  Phil- 
adelphia $1,035,398.96.  The  final  campaign  of  the 
war  demanded  new  efforts  from  the  Christian 
Commission,  and  its  agents  labored  with  new  zeal 
and  energy.  No  official  statements  were  made, 
but  they  are  understood  to  have  approached  half 
a  million  of  dollars,  which  was  expended  for  the 
promotion  of  the  physical,  intellectual,  and  relig- 
ious welfare  of  the  soldiers  and  sailors.  As  the 
war  closed  the  commission  disbanded,  and  discon- 
tinued its  work. 

THE  GOVERNMENT  NOBLY  PERFORMS  ITS  DUTY. 

The  important  part  of  the  business  of  the  year 
1866  was  the  selection  and  distribution  of  artificial 
limbs  for  maimed  soldiers.  Twenty-three  models 
were  approved,  and  six  thousand  four  hundred 


DISABLED   VOLUNTEER   SOLDIERS.  23 

and  ten  limbs  of  all  kinds  were  given  out.  In  con- 
sequence  of  many  instances  of  fraud,  it  was  rec- 
ommended that  the  applicant  should  receive  the 
established  money  value  of  the  limb  instead  of  an 
order  upon  the  manufacturer. 

During  the  year  the  government  paid  great  at- 
tention to  soldiers'  graves  and  cemeteries.  The 
former  were  carefully  attended  to,  and  the  occu- 
pant's name  and  rank  put  at  the  head  of  each 
grave,  as  well  as  on  the  records  of  the  cemetery. 
At  first  this  was  done  on  wooden  head-boards,  but 
the  Government,  with  a  view  to  make  the  head- 
boards more  lasting,  ordered  them  to  be  construct- 
ed of  marble.  Forty-one  national  cemeteries  were 
established,  and  into  these  had  already  been  gath- 
ered the  remains  of  one  hundred  and  four  thou- 
sand five  hundred  and  twenty-six  Union  soldiers 
on  the  30th  of  June,  1866.  Sites  for  the  addition- 
al cemeteries  were  selected  and  the  work  upon 
them  was  vigorously  prosecuted.  It  was  estimated 
that  the  national  cemeteries  would  be  required 
to  receive  the  remains  of  two  hundred  and  forty- 
nine  thousand  three  hundred  and  ninety-seven 
soldiers.  The  average  cost  ot  removals  and  re-in- 
terments then  accomplished  was  reported  at  nine 
dollars  and  seventy-five  cents,  amounting  in  the 
aggregate  to  $1,404,791;  and  an  additional  expend- 
iture of  $1,609,294  will  probably  be  needed.  The 


24  THE  NATIONAL    HOME   FOR 

alphabetical  registers  of  the  dead  filed  in  the  office 
of  the  medical  department  contain  the  names  of 
two  hundred  and  fifty  thousand  white  soldiers  and 
twenty  thousand  colored  soldiers.  In  1872  there 
were  three  hundred  and  eight  cemeteries  in  the 
United  States  for  the  interment  of  soldiers,  of 
which  eighty-one  were  known  as  national  ceme- 
teries. In  the  latter,  two  hundred  and  thirty-eight 
thousand  six  hundred  and  sixty-six  United  States 
soldiers  are  buried,  out  of  a  total  of  two  hundred 
and  fifty-one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  twen- 
ty-seven interments.  Seventy-six  thousand  two 
hundred  and  sixty-three  bodies  remained  to  be 
interred,  making  the  three  hundred  and  twenty- 
eight  thousand  six  hundred  and  ninety.  Of  Con- 
federate soldiers,  twenty  thousand  eight  hundred 
and  sixty-one  were  interred.  The  several  national 
cemeteries  embrace  an  area  of  eighteen  hundred 
acres,  acquired  at  a  cost  of  $170,000.  The  total 
cost  of  the  national  cemeteries,  when  completed,  is 
estimated  at  $3,500,000.  /The  Gettysburg  cem- 
etery has  been  transferred  to  the  War  Department. 
There  is  a  cemetery  owned  by  the  United  States 
near  the  City  of  Mexico,  which  has  been  put  in 
order  recently,  the  inclosure  having  previously 
become  somewhat  dilapidated.  It  is  proposed 
that  this  ground  be  hereafter  classed  with  the 
other  national  cemeteries,  and  cared  for  in  the 
same  way. 


DISABLED   VOLUNTEER  SOLDIERS.  25 

CARE  FOR  THE  SURVIVORS. 

Under  the  act  of  July,  1866,  authorizing  the 
payment  of  additional  bounties,  there  had  been 
recorded  to  October,  1867,  four  hundred  and  seven 
thousand  eight  hundred  and  fifty-seven  claims,  of 
which  one  hundred  and  six  thousand  three  hun- 
dred and  seventy-eight  have  been  made, — an  ex- 
penditure of  $9,352,797, — leaving  three  hundred 
and  two  thousand  four  hundred  and  seventy-nine 
to  be  settled.  During  the  year,  one  thousand 
other  claims  for  bounties  and  arrears  of  pay  had 
also  been  disposed  of,  at  an  expenditure  of 
§3,553,203. 

PENSION  AND  PENSION  ROLLS. 

While  the  United  States  pays  more  money 
every  year  in  pensions  than  any  other  nation  on 
the  globe,  it  is  a  noteworthy  fact  that  not  a  single 
pension  is  paid  in  this  country  in  the  civil  service 
of  the  government.  Of  the  thirty  millions  of 
dollars  which  go  annually  through  congressional 
appropriations  in  payment  of  pensions,  every  dol- 
lar goes  to  invalid  officers  and  soldiers  of  the 
army  or  navy,  or  their  living  representatives.  In 
no  other  country  is  the  national  defense  in  times 
of  war  made  the  sole  ground  for  this  aid  extended 
to  those  who  have  become  disabled  or  superannu- 
ated in  the  government  service.  The  pension 


26  THE   NATIONAL   HOME  FOB, 

rolls  on  June  30, 1867,  contained  the  names  of 
one  hundred  and  fifty-three  thousand  one  hundred 
and  ninety -three  persons,  of  whom  more  than  one 
hundred  and  fifty  thousand  were  army  invalids, 
widows  and  other  representatives  of  soldiers  in 
the  late  war ;  the  remainder  are  on  the  rolls  of 
previous  wars.  The  lust  pensioner  of  the  revolu- 
tionary war  was  Samuel  Downing,  of  Edinburg, 
ISTew  York,  who  died  in  1867.  The  amount  paid 
for  pensions  in  1872  was  $30,169,340.  The  whole 
number  of  soldiers  in  the  civil  war,  as  before 
stated,  was  two  million  six  hundred  and  eighty- 
eight  thousand  five  hundred  and  twenty-three. 
The  total  number  of  claims  for  invalid  pensions 
was  one  hundred  and  seventy-six  thousand,  being 
but  six  per  cent  of  the  whole  number  of  enlisted 
men.  The  total  number  of  claims  on  hand  at  the 
beginning  of  the  year  was  ninety-one  thousand 
one  hundred  and  seventy-eight ;  the  number  re- 
ceived during  the  year  was  twenty-six  thousand 
five  hundred  and  seventy-four ;  the  number  dis- 
posed of  was  thirty-nine  thousand  one  hundred  and 
seventy-eight,  making  a  net  gain  of  twelve  thou- 
sand six  hundred  and  four.  The  number  of  claims 
on  file  was  seventy-nine  thousand  and  eighty- 
five.  On  June  30,  1872,  there  were  on  the  rolls 
the  names  of  ninety-five  thousand  four  hundred 
and  five  invalid  military  pensioners,  and  one  hun- 


'"•»v<:- 

y" 


DISABLED    VOLUNTEER   SOLDIERS. 

> 

dred  and  thirteen  thousand  five  hundred  arid 
forty-eight  widows,  orphans,  and  dependent  rel- 
atives, making  an  aggregate  of  two  hundred  and 
eight  thousand  nine  hundred  and  twenty-three 
army  pensioners. 

THE  ESTABLISHMENT  OF  SOLDIERS'  HOMES. 

At  the  close  of  the  war  hospitals  and  soldiers' 
homes  were  established  in  most  of  the  loyal  states. 
New  York,  New  Jersey,  Pennsylvania,  Michigan, 
Ohio,  and  Indiana  were  early  in  motion,  and  ev- 
erything that  medical  skill,  care,  and  comfort 
could  suggest  was  done  for  the  returned  soldier. 
The  gradual  disappearance  of  hospitals  and  sol- 
diers' retreats  resulted  in  the  creation  of  national 
homes  on  a  more  extended  and  substantial  basis. 
The  main  object  had  in  view  was  to  enlarge 
their  usefulness  and  to  extend  their  benefits  to  the 
disabled  soldiers  of  every  loyal  state.  To  carry 
this  purpose  into  effect,  an  act  of  congress  was 
obtained  and  approved  March  31,  1865,  and  a 
board  of  managers  appointed.  The  Board  at  its 
first  meeting  elected  Gen.  B.F.Butler  president, 
and  Hon.  L.  B.  Gunckel  secretary.  The  organ- 
ization has  been  continued  ever  since.  The  act 
of  congress  authorized  the  Board  of  Managers  to 
establish  one  or  more  homes;  and  under  it  the 
Central  Home  was  established  at  Dayton,  Ohio, 
3 


27*  /^ 


28  THE   NATIONAL    HOME   FOR 

the  Eastern  Branch  at  Augusta,  Maine,  and  the 
Western  Branch  at  Milwaukee,  Wisconsin.  Sub- 
sequently a  fourth  branch,  under  the  same  or- 
ganization, was  established  at  Hampton,  Vir- 
ginia, the  mildness  of  the  climate  there  being 
more  favorable  to  some  cases  of  disease.  There 
is  also  a  home  in  Washington  City,  exclusively 
for  the  benefit  of  soldiers  who  have  served  in  the 
regular  army. 

THE  CENTRAL  HOME,  AT  DAYTON,  OHIO. 

In  the  selection  of  an  eligible  site  for  the  Cen- 
tral Home,  the  attention  of  the  Board  of  Managers 
was  directed  to  the  rich  and  fertile  valley  of  the 
Miami,  so  well  known  for  its  beauty  and  salubrity; 
and  finding  it  admirably  adapted  to  the  purposes 
of  a  home,  they  at  once  entered  into  negotiations 
for  the  purchase  of  five  hundred  and  forty  acres  of 
land,  about  three  miles  west  of  the  city  of  Dayton, 
and  in  1867  active  work  was  commenced.  The 
lands  at  the  time  of  the  purchase  were  in  the  ordi- 
nary condition  of  farm  lands  of  the  state,  possess- 
ing, however,  natural  beauty  and  great  facilities 
for  improvement.  Above  all,  the  supply  of  water 
was  both  abundant  and  excellent.  On  the  grounds 
are  several  mineral  springs,  two  of  which  have 
rare  medicinal  properties.  Chaplain  T.  B.  Van 
Horn,  of  the  United  States  Army,  was  detailed  by 


DISABLED   VOLUNTEER   SOLDIERS.  29 

the  Secretary  of  War,  at  the  request  of  the  Board 
of  Managers,  to  lay  out  the  grounds;  and  the 
Home,  with  its  broad  avenues,  beautiful  lakes, 
splendid  groves,  and  cultivated  lawns,  presents 
one  of  the  most  attractive  places  in  the  country. 
The  site  overlooks  the  city  and  the  beautiful  scen- 
ery of  the  Miami  valley  for  miles  around.  The 
work  of  improvement  has  been  prosecuted  most 
vigorously,  and  alterations  and  additions  are  being 
made  continually.  Although  but  a  few  years 
have  elapsed  since  its  commencement,  the  Central 
Branch  may  be  regarded  as  the  largest  and  most 
flourishing  institution  of  its  class  in  the  world. 

THE  EASTERN  BRANCH,  NEAR  AUGUSTA,  MAINE. 

This  home  consists  of  four  substantial  brick 
buildings,  inclosing  a  square  with  a  piazza  run- 
ning in  and  around,  connecting  the  whole.  One 
of  the  buildings  is  a  well- adapted  and  commodious 
hospital,  with  the  necessary  offices.  The  other 
buildings  comprise  the  head-quarters,  library  and 
reading-room,  general  dining-hall,  and  quarters 
for  officers  and  inmates.  Detached  from  the  build- 
ings is  a  music  hall,  which  is  also  used  as  a  chapel. 
In  the  basement  of  this  building  are  billiard  rooms 
for  the  recreation  of  the  inmates.  A  large  farm 
and  garden  are  cultivated  by  the  inmates,  and  the 
produce  supplies  the  requirements  of  the  Home. 


30  THE   NATIONAL   HOME    FOR 

A  large  shoe  manufactory,  supplied  with  valuable 
machinery,  is  in  full  operation,  employing  the  time 
of  one  fifth  of  the  whole  number  of  inmates.  Great 
advantages  are  thus  imparted  to  the  inmates,  both 
physically  and  morally,  from  the  enjoyment  it  af- 
fords to  both  body  and  mind,  besides  enabling 
a  considerable  number  to  remit  sums  of  money  to 
their  relatives  at  home,  in  addition  to  providing 
themselves  with  many  luxuries  and  comforts  not 
provided  by  the  institution.  Divine  services  are 
held,  amusements  provided,  and  the  library  with 
its  rich  treasures  is  always  available  for  the  intel- 
lectual feast.  The  total  number  of  inmates  pres- 
ent and  absent  on  .November  30,  1874,  was  eight 
hundred  and  eight.  General  W.  S.  Tilton  is  the 

deputy  governor  of  the  Eastern  Branch. 

-v 
NORTH-WESTERN  BRANCH,  NEAR  MILWAUKEE. 

The  location  of  this  home  is  one  of  the  most 
beautiful  in  the  state.  It  is  surrounded  by  trees  of 
almost  primeval  greatness,  and  overlooks  the  in- 
land sea  of  Lake  Michigan,  the  city  of  Milwaukee 
with  its  ninety  thousand  inhabitants,  and  a  vast 
extent  of  country.  The  Home  is  comprised  within 
a  large  building  three  hundred  feet  in  length,  with 
corresponding  projecting  wings,  and  a  tower  rising 
in  the  center  one  hundred  and  eighty  feet  high. 
The  first  floor  contains  the  offices  of  the  com- 


DISABLED    VOLUNTEER   SOLDIERS.  31 

raandant,  surgeon,  chaplain,  treasurer,  quarter- 
master, adjutant,  and  other  officers;  also  the  li- 
brary and  reading-room.  The  dining-room  on 
this  floor  will  seat  six  hundred  men  comfortably. 
On  the  second  floor,  over  the  dining-room,  is  a' 
corresponding  hall,  which  is  used  as  a  chapel  for 
divine  service,  and  also  as  a  hall  for  concerts  and 
lectures.  The  second,  third,  and  fourth  stories  are 
appropriated  for  sleeping-rooms,  twelve  men  be- 
ing allotted. to  each  room.  There  is  a  billiard- 
room  and  bowling  alley  for  recreation  ;  also,  bath- 
rooms, post-office,  telegraph  office,  store,  etc.  To 
these  have  recently  been  added  commodious  bar- 
racks, workshops,  and  a  handsome  three -story 
hospital,  capable  of  accommodating  one  hundred 
and  fifty  patients.  The  farm  and  garden  comprise 
between  four  and  five  hundred  acres  of  the  best 
lands  in  the  state.  The  cultivation  of  the  farm  as 
a  source  of  profit  is  perhaps  the  most  successful 
of  either  of  the  homes.  The  garden  and  the 
grounds  are  laid  out  and  preserved  with  great 
taste  and  beauty.  The  number  of  inmates  present 
and  absent  on  November  30,  1874,  was  six  hun- 
dred and  fifty-one.  The  library  contains  about 
three  thousand  volumes  ;  and  the  spiritual  welfare 
and  moral  culture  oi  the  inmates  are  carefully  ad- 
ministered and  cared  for.  Major-general  13.  £>. 
llinks  is  the  commandant. 


32  THE  NATIONAL   HOME   FOB 

THE  SOUTHERN  BRANCH,  NEAR  FORTRESS 
MONROE,  VIRGINIA. 

This  Home  is  located  at  Hampton,  not  far  from 
Fortress  Monroe,  and  overlooking  that  magnifi- 
cent portion  of  Chesapeake  Bay  known  as  Hamp- 
ton Roads.  The  building  was  formerly  used  as  a 
college  for  ladies,  and  is  well  adapted  for  its  pres- 
ent purpose.  On  account  of  the  great  mildness  of 
the  climate,  the  location  is  very  favorable  to  those 
suffering  from  pulmonary  complaints,  and  also  for 
many  chronic  and  acute  diseases.  The  colored 
disabled  soldiers  being  equally  entitled  to  the  ben- 
efit of  a  home,  it  was  supposed  that  a  southern 
climate  would  be  better  suited  to  their  require- 
ments. To  the  main  building  have  already  been 
added  commodious  barracks,  a  hospital,  and  an 
amusement  hall.  The  total  number  of  inmates 
present  and  absent  on  Nov.  30th,  1874,  was  five 
hundred  and  eighty-eight.  The  affairs  of  the 
Southern  Branch  are  ably  administered  by  Capt. 
P.  T.  Woodfin,  deputy  governor. 

THE  OBJECT  AND  PURPOSES  OF  THE  NATIONAL 
.  HOMES. 

An  experience  of  more  than  nine  years  has 
convinced  the- Board  of  Managers  of  the  national 
homes  of  their  ability  to  receive  and  care  for  all 
the  disabled  soldiers  entitled  to  admission  under 


DISABLED    VOLUNTEER   SOLDIERS.  33 

the  act  of  congress.  The  object  had  in  view  from 
the  beginning  was  to  provide  all  the  comforts  of 
a  home, — chapels  for  religious  services,  halls  for 
concerts,  lectures,  and  miscellaneous  entertain- 
ments, hospitals,  with  experienced  surgeons  and 
nurses,  libraries  and  reading  rooms,  amusement 
halls,  school -rooms,  post-offices,  telegraph  offices, 
stores,  workshops,  etc.  Another  laudable  purpose 
of  the  Board  of  Managers  was  to  afford  to  those 
desiring  it  ample  facilities  for  preparing  them- 
selves for  active  employment.  In  the  schools  they 
may  educate  themselves  for  book-keepers,,  clerks, 
school-teachers,  telegraph  operators,  etc.,  or  in  the 
workshops  learn  new  trades  suited  to  their  pecul- 
iar disability,  in  the  meantime  insuring  suitable 
compensation  for  labor  performed  in  the  institu- 
tion. All  these  purposes  have  thus  far  been  ad- 
mirably carried  out,  thus  inspiring  the  inmates 
with  a  sense  of  manly  independence.  Great 
care  has  been  taken  by  the  Board  of  Managers  to 
impress  upon  the  minds  of  those  who  may  apply 
for  admission  the  fact  that  they  are  not  enter- 
ing a  hospital  nor  an  alms-house,  but  a  bona 
fide  home,  where  subsistence,  care,  education,  re- 
ligious instruction,  and  amusements  are  provided 
for  disabled  soldiers  by  the  congress  of  the  United 
States,  to  be  paid  for  from  the  "  forfeiture  and 
fines  of  deserters  from  the  army."  The  provision 


34  THE  NATIONAL   HOME   FOR 

is  thus  divested  of  the  humiliating  feature  of  char- 
ity. In  the  language  of  the  Board,  it  is  a  contri- 
bution by  the  bounty -jumpers  and  bad  soldiers  to 
the  brave  and  deserving,  and  is  their  right,  to  be 
forfeited  only  by  bad  conduct  at  the  Home. 

The  following  beautiful  tribute  from  the  pen  of 
Lizzie  Boynton  Harbert  is  appropriate : 

"As  an  American  woman  I  proudly  quote  the  official  state- 
ment now  before  me  which  assures  the  people  that  notwith- 
standing the  enormous  debt  incurred  by  our  civil  war,  yet 
the  United  States  government  through  its  agents  '  has  full 
ability  and  accommodations  to  take  care  of  every  disabled 
volunteer  soldier  who  applies  to  them ;  that  they  ( these 
agents)  have  never  refused  to  take  care  of  such  honorably 
discharged  soldier  in  a  single  instance,  and  that  it  is  the  fault 
of  the  soldier  alone  if  he  is  supporting  himself  by  begging,  or 
has  become  a  dependent  upon  the  bounty  of  any  one,  or  is 
asking  aid  from  any  state  in  the  Union.'  And  remembering 
as  one  of  the  '  red  letter  days '  of  my  life  the  day  devoted  to 
the  National  Asylum  at  Dayton,  Ohio,  in  compliance  with 
the  request  of  many  western  friends  I  attempt  a  description 
of  said  institution,  one  of  the  three  built  by  the  government, 
the  other  two  being  located  at  Augusta,  Maine,  and  Milwau- 
kee, Wisconsin. 

"Some  months  since  I  wandered  through  that  American 
'  holy  of  holies,'  the  national  cemetery  at  Arlington.  As  we 
were  leaving,  remembering  the  patience  of  the  one-armed 
soldier  who  had  escorted  us  all  day,  while  we  lingered  long 
by  the  hillocks  marked  '  unknown  '  and  breathed  a  prayer 
for  somebody's  darling,  one  of  our  party  placed  a  bank  note 
in  his  hand,  with  the  request  that  he  would  accept  it  for  the 
little  ones  at  home  (  for  he  had  told  us  of  them),  but  with 
quiet  dignity  he  returned  the  proffered  gift,  saying,  '  I  thank 
you,  Madame,  for  the  delicate  manner  in  which  you  offer  me 
the  money,  but  the  American  government  pays  us  well  for 
the  care  of  its  dead."  As  we  drove  away  my  thought  was, 
4  Thank  God  for  this  great  and  generous  country  of  ours,'  a 
thought  re-echoed  yet  more  intensely  when  a  few  months 
later  at  the  '  Soldiers'  Home,'  I  discovered  how  grandly  and 
beautifully  this  American  government  cares  for  its  living. 


DISABLED   VOLUNTEER   SOLDIERS.  35 

"Clara  Barton  wept  and  agonized  at  Strasbourg  because  her 
own  generous  American  people  were  so  distant,  and  let  no 
American  talk  of  the  '  good  old  times '  who  has  witnessed  a 
great  nation  battle  as  ours  did  in  war  and  tax  itself  as  ours 
has  in  peace. 

"  Long  live  the  Republic !  " 

REQUIREMENTS  FOR  ADMISSION. 

When  a  volunteer  soldier  desires  admission  he 
may  apply  by  letter  to  either  of  the  managers, 
whereupon  blank  applications  will  be  sent  to  the 
applicant,  and  if  duly  qualified,  transportation  will 
be  furnished,  or  he  can  apply  personally  or  by  let- 
ter at  the  branch  nearest  his  place  of  residence. 
The  requirements  are  as  follows  : 

1.  An  honorable  discharge  from  the  volunteer 
service. 

2.  Disability  by  wounds  received,  or  sickness 
contracted  in  the  line  of  duty. 

3.  A  soldier  entitled  to  or  having  a  pension 
must  forward  with  his  application  for  admission 
his  discharge  papers  and   pension  certificate,  or 
receipt  therefor,  or  both,  as  the  case  may  be,  be- 
before  his  application  is   granted,  which  papers 
will  be  retained  at  the  branch  to  which  the  appli- 
cant is  admitted,  to  be  kept  there  on  file  and  re- 
turned to  him  when  he  is  discharged.     This  rule 
is  adopted  to  prevent  the  loss  of  papers  and  cer- 
tificates, and  to  prevent  fraudulent  practices.    He 
must  also  assign  his  pension  to  the  Home.    But 


36  THE    NATIONAL   HOME    FOR 

the  Home  does  not  take  nor  use  the  pension- 
money  of  its  inmates ;  it  simply  collects  and  holds 
them  in  trust  for  the  soldier,  giving  him  from  time 
to  time  such  amounts  as  his  needs  or  those  of  his 
family  require,  and  depositing  the  remainder  in  a 
savings-bank  for  the  benefit  of  the  pensioner,  and 
on  his  honorable  discharge  pay  him  back  both 
principal  and  the  accumulated  interest. 

HISTORICAL  INCIDENTS  OF.THE  CENTRAL  HOME. 

One  of  the  early  incidents  of  the  Central  Home 
was  the  transfer  of  the  Ohio  Soldiers'  Home  to 
the  Board  of  Trustees  of  national  homes.  This 
took  JDlace  with  appropriate  ceremonies  on  the 
26th  day  of  March,  1867. 

All  the  officers,  employes,  and  inmates  that 
were  able  to  be  present,  numbering  about  one 
hundred  and  eighty-five,  assembled  in  the  chapel 
at  the  ringing  of  the  bell.  General  George  B. 
Wright,  one  of  the  trustees  of  the  Home,  called 
the  assembly  to  order,  and  announced  the  object 
of  the  meeting  to  be  a  formal  transfer  of  the  in- 
stitution to  the  Board  of  Directors  of  national 
asylums. 

Generals  Wright  and  Mitchell  were  present  as 
representatives  of  the  Home ;  Lieutenant-gov- 
ernor McBurney  and  General  Willard  Warner  of 
the  Senate;  Governor  Cox  in  behalf  of  the  state; 


DISABLED   VOLUNTEER   SOLDIERS.  37 

and  Hon.  L.  B.  Gunckel  as  representative  of  the 
National  Board. 

General  Wright  first  addressed  the  soldiers. 
He  commended  them  for  their  good  behavior, 
thanked  the  officers  for  the  faithful  discharge  of 
their  duties,  and  expressed  a  deep  interest  in  the 
future  welfare  of  all  who  had  enjoyed  the  benefits 
of  the  Home,  or  who  had  aided  in  making  it 
worthy  the  good  name  it  had  borne. 

Lieutenant-governor  McBurney  followed  with 
a  few  remarks,  expressing  the  deep  interest  the 
people  of  the  state  felt  in  the  institution,  and  the 
hope  that  under  the  care  of  the  national  Board 
the  soldiers  might  enjoy  even  greater  privileges 
than  the  state  had  been  able  to  afford. 

General  Willard  Warner  was  then  introduced 
as  the  chairman  of  the  Military  Committee  of  the 
Senate,  who  drafted  and  introduced  the  bill  which 
became  a  law,  establishing  the  Ohio  State  Soldiers' 
Home,  and  as  a  soldier  and  citizen  had  exhibited 
a  most  earnest  interest  in  the  welfare  of  the  insti- 
tution. The  general  spoke  with  deep  feeling  and 
earnestness  of  the  trials  and  hardships  through 
which  the  inmates  of  the  institution  had  passed  in 
the  great  struggle  for  the  maintenance  of  the 
Government,  but  assured  them  that  their  services 
were  appreciated,  and  that  the  time  would  come 
when  they  will  be  held  in  reveren-ce,  as  were  the 
patriots  and  heroes  of  the  Revolution. 


38  THE    NATIONAL   HOME   FOR 

Governor  Cox  followed  General  Warner  in  an 
able  and  patriotic  address,  full  of  good  counsel 
and  advice  to  the  soldiers,  closing  with  a  formal 
transfer  of  the  institution  from  the  state  to  nation- 
al authority. 

Hon.  L.  B.  Gunckel,  in  reply  to  Governor  Cox, 
said: 

"It  is  with  mingled  feelings  of  pleasure  and  fear  that  I  ac- 
cept in  behalf  of  the  Board  of  Managers  the  transfer  of  the 
Ohio  Soldiers'  Home  to  the  National  Asylum.  It  is  with 
feelings  of  pleasure  because  of  my  personal  connection  with 
the  institution  from  the  very  beginning.  In  1864  I  introduced 
a  bill  into  the  Senate  of  Ohio  'to  establish  a  soldiers'  home,' 
and  tried  for  two  sessions  to  do  what  my  friend  General  War- 
ner succeeded  in  doing  in  1866.  But  although  my  bill  failed, 
it  had  gained  two  powerful  friends, — Governors  Brough  and 
Anderson, — who,  by  the  aid  of  Secretary  Stanton  and  the 
western  branch  of  the  United  States  Sanitary  Commission, 
were  enabled  to  convert  'Tripler  Hospital'  into  the  'Ohio 
Soldiers'  Home.'  By  appointment  of  Governor  Anderson 
I  was  made  one  of  its  first  trustees,  and,  as  such,  helped  or- 
ganize and  begin  what  has  been  so  successfully  carried  out 
by  my  successors.  To  reunite  myself  with  this  institution  is, 
therefore,  like  coming  back  to  one's  first  love.  To  see  it  made 
permanent  by  its  adoption  as  the  central  branch  of  the  Na- 
tional Asylum  is  to  me  a  matter  of  sincere  pleasure.  But 
when  I  consider  how  admirably  the  institution  has  been 
managed  during  the  past  year  I  accept  the  transfer  of  the 
responsible  trust  with  fear  and  trembling;  for  it  is  due  to 
truth  to  say  that  this  Home  has  grown  to  be  not  only  the 
largest,  but  to  be  recognized  as  the  best  conducted  and  most 
successful  institution  of  the  kind  in  the  United  States.  For 
this  just  matter  of  state  pride  we  are  indebted,  first,  to  our 
excellent  governor,  who  has  always  given  it  his  encourage- 
ment and  aid;  second,  to  the  distinguished  chairman  of  the 
Senate  Military  Committee,  General  Warner,  here  present, 
the  author  of  the  law  creating  the  Home,  and  its  able  advo- 
cate and  zealous  defender  in  the  general  assembly ;  thirdly, 
to  the  worthy  trustees  of  the  Home,  Generals  Wright  and 
Mitchell,  upon  whom,  and  especially  the  two  resident  trustees, 


DISABLED   VOLUNTEER   SOLDIERS.  39 

has  rested  the  burden  of  the  care,  responsibility,  and  labor 
required  in  the  management  of  such  an  institution.  I  much 
fear  that  neither  the  inmates  of  the  Home  nor  the  people  of 
the  state  appreciate  how  great  have  been  the  labors  and  the 
sacrifices  made  by  these  gentlemen.  But  if  they  do  not  get 
popular  applause  they  have  what  is  after  all  much  better — 
the  proud  consciousness  of  having  done  a  great  public  good. 
Well  may  we  fear  to  assume  a  trust  taken  from  such  hands  ! 
But  we  take  courage  in  the  fact  that  we  are  able  to  retain, 
temporarily  at  least,  all  the  present  officers  of  the  Home. 
They  have  all — superintendent,  surgeon,  chaplain,  steward, 
and  matron, — done  their  duty;  done  it  nobly  and  well.  We 
should  gladly  retain  all  permanently,  but  the  law  under  which 
we  act  requires  all  officers  to  be  selected  from  disabled  sol- 
diers. Not  only  because,  other  things  being  equal,  such 
should  always  be  selected,  but  because  men  who  have  them- 
selves suffered  can  better  appreciate  your  condition  and 
sympathize  with  you  in  your  sufferings.  This  may,  after 
awhile,  necessitate  a  few  changes. 

"And  now,  gentlemen,  for  if  no  longer  soldiers  you  are,  I 
hope,  all  still  gentlemen  (a  good  soldier  ought  always  to  be 
a  true  gentleman),  we  assume  the  responsible  trust  of  here- 
after managing  this  institution.  A  few  changes  will  become 
necessary.  The  government  will  hereafter  be  military,  not 
only  because  it  is  better  than  the  civil  for  such  an  institution, 
but  because  we  are  well  assured  it  will  be  more  agreeable  to 
you  as  soldiers.  Again ;  we  shall  ask  those  who  receive  pen- 
sions, and  have  no  dependent  wife,  child,  mother,  or  sister 
to  whom  it  should  be  given,  to  pay  for  their  clothing  while 
they  remain  here,  out  of  their  pensions.  Clothing  will  be 
furnished  you  at  Government  prices,  and  how  much  you 
shall  save  out  of  your  pensions  will  depend  upon  the  care 
and  economy  you  are  pleased  to  exercise.  Although  tech- 
nically the  National  Asylum,  we  wish  you  still  to  look  upon 
it  as  the  '  Soldiers'  Home.'  We  hope  soon  to  furnish  you 
one  better  deserving  the  name.  Like  the  pioneer  who  first 
builds  a  log-cabin,  soon  to  be  replaced  by  a  larger  and  more 
comfortable  mansion,  so  this,  your  first  home,  will  soon  give 
way  to  one  much  larger  and  better.  We  hope,  before  long, 
to  give  you  one  which  in  beauty  and  healthfulness  of  situa- 
tion, extent  of  grounds,  and  size  and  character  of  buildings, 
shall  equal  that  of  the  richest  and  best  of  the  land.  In  ad- 
dition to  chapel  and  school-room  there  will  be  workshops, 
where  you  may  learn  new  and  lighter  trades  adapted  to  your 
several  disabilities.  We  hope  by  proper  surgical  care  and 


40  THE    NATIONAL   HOME   FOR 

nursing  to  send  many  of  you  again  into  the  world  healthy 
and  able  to  take  care  of  yourselves,  and  by  suitable  education 
to  prepare  many  of  you  for  teachers,  book-keepers,  clerks, 
mechanics,  etc.,  and  so  be  able  to  enter  the  lists  with  the 
best.  Whenever  you  think  you  can  get  along  in  the  world 
we  prefer  that  you  should  try.  If  you  succeed,  we  bid  you 
God  speed.  If  you  fail,  we  will  welcome  you  back  ;  for  here, 
as  long  as  you  live,  is  your  HOME,  to  which,  if  you  have  left 
with  an  honorable  discharge,  you  will  be  ever  welcome." 

Mr.  Gunckel  closed  by  specially  referring  to  the 
superintendent,  Captain  E.  E.  Tracy,  himself  a 
wounded  soldier,  as  one  with  his  heart  in  the 
work,  and  likely  to  ask  nothing  from  the  inmates 
but  what  their  own  real  good  required,  and  ex- 
horting the  soldiers  to  make  his  duties  light  and 
pleasant  by  giving  him  their  "aid  and  comfort," 
and  co-operating  with  him  in  making  the  institu- 
tion such  a  home  as  every  soldier  may  be  proud 
to  claim  as  his  own. 

After  the  exercises  in  the  chapel  the  audience 
repaired  to  the  dining-hall,  where  a  plain  but  sub- 
stantial dinner  was  provided,  of  which  all  partook 
in  the  best  of  spirits. 

All  pronounced  the  occasion  a  pleasant  one,  not 
soon  to  be  forgotten  by  the  participants. 

In  addition  to  the  foregoing   interesting  facts 
we  have  a  few  extracts  from  the  report  of  the  pres- 
ident of  the  Board  of  Managers  for  the  year  end 
ing  December  31, 1867 : 

"  At  the  date  of  the  last  report  the  Board  had  established 
but  one  branch  or  asylum  at  Augusta,  Maine,  and  were  tern- 


DISABLED   VOLUNTEER   SOLDIERS.  41 

porarily  occupying  the  state  institution  at  Columbus,  Ohio, 
which,  with  its  property,  had  been  turned  over  to  us  by  the 
state,  and  were  aiding  the  ladies'  institution  at  Milwaukee, 
Wisconsin. 

CENTRAL  BRANCH,  NEAR  DAYTON,  OHIO. 

Because  of  the  unhealthiness  of  the  Ohio  Soldiers'  Home, 
after  a  careful  examination,  by  committees,  of  other  sites, 
and  full  hearing  of  all  parties  claiming  interests  at  other 
points,  the  Board  determined  upon  a  location  of  the  central 
asylum  at  Dayton,  Ohio,  about  three  miles  from  the  city,  for 
which  they  purchased,  at  a  cost  of  ($46,800)  forty-six  thou- 
sand eight  hundred  dollars,  about  four  hundred  acres  of  land 
in  a  body,  most  eligibly  situated  on  the  heights  commanding 
the  city.  The  Board  was  aided  in  the  selection,  as  between 
other  nearly  equally  eligible  sites,  by  the  munificent  donation 
of  ($20,000)  twenty  thousand  dollars  from  the  citizens  of  Day- 
ton, who,  under  the  lead  of  Hon.  Lewis  B.  Gunckel,  secretary 
of  the  Board,  evinced  the  liveliest  interest  in  the  success  of 
the  institution.  Most  vigorous  measures  were  taken  to  get 
the  necessary  buildings  ready  for  the  accommodation  of  the 
disabled  soldiers,  who  came  forward  for  succor  faster,  almost, 
than  accommodation  could  be  got  ready  for  them.  Congress, 
with  that  untiring  beneficence  which  has  always  distinguished 
its  action  toward  the  brave  defenders  of  the  Union,  had 
given  to  the  asylum  the  lumber  composing  the  temporary 
buildings  at  Camp  Chase.  With  the  aid  of  this  material,  un- 
der the  direction  of  the  local  manager,  Mr.  Gunckel,  build- 
ings were  most  rapidly  and  economically  constructed,  to 
meet  the  call  on  the  asylura  in  that  locality,  so  that  there  are 
now  comfortable  accommodations  for  (600)  six  hundred  sol- 
diers, which  were  filled  up  quite  as  fast  as  they  could  be  got 
ready.  There  are  now  at  that  asylum  (579)  five  hundred 
and  seventy-nine  disabled  soldiers,  and  as  soon  as  the  nec- 
essary buildings  can  be  made  ready  it  is  not  doubted  the 
number  will  exceed  a  thousand.  A  large  portion  of  the  work 
has  been  done  on  the  ground  by  the  inmates,  some  of  whom 
have  received  a  small  remuneration  for  their  labors,  an  ex- 
penditure that  has  been  found  at  once  economical  and  ben- 
eficial. The  whole  number  of  beneficiaries  of  this  branch 
during  the  year  has  been  seven  hundred  and  twenty.  The 
average  daily  cost  of  the  ration  to  each  soldier  for  the  last 
three  months  has  been,  at  this  branch,  thirty  and  five  eighth 
cents.  Workshops  are  being  established  at  this  branch,  and 


42  THE   NATIONAL    HOME   FOR 

a  school  under  the  superintendence  of  William  Earnshaw, 
the  efficient  chaplain,  has  been  carried  on  with  much  success. 
Its  pupils  have  been  so  instructed  as  to  be  fitted  to  earn  sup- 
port for  themselves,  and  some  found  situations  in  business 
— a  result  which  demonstrates  the  practical  benefit  of  the 
institution  to  the  soldier,  and  relieves  its  revenues  for  still 
further  usefulness.  The  Central  Branch  is  under  the  direc- 
tion of  General  Timothy  Ingraham,  acting  governor,  who 
lately  relieved  Major  E.  E.  Tracy,  a  faithful  and  efficient 
officer,  who  had  leave  of  absence  because  he  had  entirely 
broken  down  his  health  in  the  service.  By  the  terms  of  the 
act  of  congress  establishing  the  asylum  there  is  appropriated 
for  its  support  'all  stoppages  or  fines  adjudged  against  such 
officers  and  soldiers,  by  sentence  of  court-martial  or  military 
commission,  over  and  above  the  amounts  necessary  for  the 
reimbursement  of  the  government  or  of  individuals  ;  all  for- 
feitures on  account  of  desertion  from  such  service ;  and  all 
moneys  due  such  deceased  officers  and  soldiers  which  now 
are  or  may  be  unclaimed  for  three  years  after  the  death  of 
such  officers  or  soldiers,  to  be  repaid  upon  the  demand  of 
the  heirs  or  legal  representatives  of  such  deceased  officers  or 
soldiers.'  These  amounts  can  only  be  determined  by  the 
examination  of  the  accounts  of  each  officer  and  soldier,  and 
the  balance  ascertained,  which  may  come  to  the  asylum  on 
the  settlement  thereof.  This,  of  course,  is  a  work  of  long 
time,  the  accounting  office  having  not  yet  got  through  the 
year  1862,  so  that  not  even  an  approximate  estimate  can  be 
made  as  to  the  amount  appropriated  by  the  munificence  of 
congress  for  the  support  of  the  asylum. 

"The  Board  of  Managers  have  received,  by  donations  6f 
land  and  money,  of  several  associations  and  individuals,  a 
sum  amounting  to  $126,832.71.  They  have  invested  for  the 
use  of  the  asylum  all  surplus  beyond  the  amount  necessary 
for  the  outlay  and  expenditures,  in  the  bonds  of  the  United 
States,  to  the  amount  of  $515,100. 

"  In  commencing  the  organization  of  the  establishment, 
and  in  providing  for  the  necessary  accommodation  of  so 
many  men,  large  expenditures  have  been  necessary,  which 
are  charged  in  the  treasurer's  account  to  real  estate,  con- 
struction, and  repairs.  It  is  believed,  however,  that  no  more 
economical  expenditure  has  ever  been  made  of  public  mon- 
eys than  in  the  purchase  of  lands  and  construction  of  build- 
ings for  this  object. 

"The  instituion  has,  during  the  past  year,  supported  or 
aided  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  sixty-seven  men 


/, 

»*: 


DISABLED    VOLUNTEER    SOLDIERS.  43 

and  totally  disabled  volunteer  soldiers,  and  the  average  ex- 
pense of  subsistence  of  those  in  the  asylum  does  not  exceed 
the  sum  of  thirty-three  cents  per  day. 

"By  the  purchase  of  a  large  amount  of  clothing  of  the 
quartermaster  general,  at  the  prices  which  it  and  like  stores 
had  been  sold  at  auction,  the  institution  has  been  able  to 
provide  very  cheaply  for  the  wants  of  its  beneficiaries  in  that 
regard.  To  no  disabled  soldier,  either  of  the  regular  army, 
of  the  marines,  or  the  volunteer  force,  whose  case  has  been 
brought  to  the  attention  of  the  Board  of  Managers,  has  relief 
been  refused  or  aid  denied.  Every  pains  has  been  taken  to 
find  and  relieve  every  soldier  who  has  been  sustained  in 
alms-houses  or  like  establishments  in  the  country,  and  to  take 
care  of  all  disabled  soldiers  who  are  found  soliciting  the  be- 
nevolence of  the  charitable.  True  it  is  that  many  cases  will 
be  found  of  apparently  disabled  men,  who  claim  to  be  soldiers, 
in  large  cities  or  on  railway  trains,  asking  relief  of  the  chari- 
table, or  attempting  to  earn  a  subsistence  by  grinding  a  hand- 
organ,  or  other  like  means  of  appealing  to  the  generous  sym- 
pathies of  the  community.  This  prostitution  of  the  honorable 
wounds  and  the  uniform  of  the  soldier  can  only  be  saved  by 
the  determination  of  every  man,  and  especially  of  every 
woman,  whose  kind  and  patriotic  hearts  are  touched  by  surh 
exhibitions  of  apparent  want,  to  refrain  from  giving.  In 
many  cases  those  so  appealing  for  relief  are  impostors,  and 
were  never  soldiers  at  all,  or  deserters,  or  were  dismissed  for 
crimes.  In  others  they  are  the  employes  of  designing  men 
and  associations,  who  speculate  out  of  the  apparent  miseries 
and  services  of  disabled  soldiers.  There  have  been  cases 
where  the  beneficiaries  of  our  asylum  have  been  hired  to 
leave  our  homes,  where  they  were  amply  provided  for,  by 
associations  owning  hand-organs,  to  grind  them  through  the 
streets,  because  a  soldier  apparently  so  reduced  would  attract 
the  sympathy  and  contributions  of  loyal  and  patriotic  people. 
Cases  have  been  brought  to  the  knowledge  of  the  officers  of 
the  institution  where  these  organ-grinders  have  obtained  from 
the  public  by  such  means  as  high  as  fifteen  dollars  per  day, 
which  does  not  go  to  their  relief,  but  to  swell  the  emoluments 
of  their  swindling  employers.  The  Board  of  Managers  would 
respectfully  ask  all  citizens  to  discountenance  these  practices, 
by  which  the  generous  benevolence  of  the  community  is  im- 
posed upon,  and  before  giving  to  any  one  claiming  to  be  a 
soldier  under  such  circumstances,  to  inquire  if  he  has  applied 
to  the  managers  for  relief,  and  if  he  replies  that  he  has  done 
so  and  has  been  refused,  to  communicate  the  fact  to  the 
4 


44  THE    NATIONAL   HOME    FOR 

president  or  either  member  of  the  Board  of  Managers.  The 
munificent  liberality  of  the  nation  through  its  congress  has 
done  full  justice  to  the  claims  of  all  disabled  soldiers  in  the 
prevision  made  in  this  establishment,  and  no  deserving  man 
has  failed  or  can  fail  to  reap  the  benefit  of  it  if  he  chooses. 

"  The  Board  make  this  report  of  their  proceedings  with  the 
confident  hope  that  their  action  will  meet  the  approbation  of 
congress  and  the  country. 
-  "All  of  which  is  respectfully  submitted." 

For  the  Board  of  Managers  : 

BE.NJ.  F.  BUTLER,  President. 

January  I,  1868. 

OUT-DOOR   RELIEF. 

"  By  the  tenth  section  of  the  act  of  establishment  the  Board 
are  empowered  to  administer  out-door  relief  to  the  soldiers 
entitled  thereto,  at  an  expense  not  exceeding  the  average 
cost  of  maintaining  an  inmate  in  the  asylum.  Owing  to  the 
calls  on  the  establishment  for  relief,  because  the  Board  has 
not  sufficient  accommodations,  it  has  been  found  necessary 
to  support  some  of  those  who  had  claims  therefor  at  charita- 
ble and  state  institutions.  Great  care  has  been  taken  that 
nobody  should  be  aided  who  was  not  precisely  within  the 
purview  of  the  act  of  congress.  After  mature  deliberation 
it  was  determined  by  the  Board  that  the  rate  of  support  in 
any  institution  should  not  exceed  forty  cents  per  day  where 
the  beneficiary  did  not  require  to  be  hospitally  treated  with 
medicine  or  surgically  as  a  sick  man,  and  seventy-five  cents 
a  day  where  he  did  so  require  treatment.  Accordingly  (158) 
one  hundred  and  fifty-eight  totally  disabled  soldiers  have 
been  helped  in  the  New  Jersey  Home  at  an  average  of  (10) 
ten  dollars  per  month  each  for  both  sick  and  well,  or  thirty- 
three  and  one  third  cents  per  day  for  all  care  and  support. 
Twenty-four  (24)  soldiers  have  been  supported  at  the  Mary- 
land Soldiers'  Home  in  Baltimore,  and  (8)  eight  under  the 
charge  of  the  Ladies'  Union  Relief  Association  of  New  York 
City  from  time  to  time  during  the  year,  and  (120)  one  hund- 
red and  twenty  at  the  Indiana  Soldiers'  Home,  and  (71) 
seventy-one  at  the  Soldiers'  home,  Rochester,  New  York. 
Out-door  relief  has  also  been  administered  by  several  mem- 
bers of  the  Board  in  cases  where  such  relief  was  but  a  tem- 
porary necessity  or  would  enable  the  soldier  to  become  self- 
supporting  by  a  slight  advance  to  him  for  a  short  time.  The 
Board  can  not  better  illustrate  the  working  of  this  mode  of 


DISABLED  VOLUNTEER   SOLDIERS.  45 

relief  than  by  incorporating  the  report  of  the  efficient  secre- 
tary of  the  Board,  Mr.  Gunckel,  as  to  the  manner  in  which 
he  has  given  aid  and  relief  to  those  who  needed  it,  evincing 
at  once  practical  assistance  and  economical  relief.' 

REPORT  OF  HON.  LEWIS  B.  GUNCKEL. 

"  I  have  the  honor  to  report  that  I  have  administered  'out- 
door relief  during  the  past  year  to  eighty-five  disabled  sol- 
diers, and  assisted  through  state  and  local  institutions  one 
hundred  and  twenty  more,  making  two  hundred  and  five  in 
all,  and  expended  therefor  $5,001.47,  being  an  average  only 
of  $24.39  to  each  man.  I  append  hereto  an  exhibit  showing 
to  whom  the  money  was  paid,  and  giving  name,  residence, 
disability,  family,  &c.,  of  each  beneficiary.  It  will  be  seen 
that  of  the  eighty-five  to  whom  I  gave  relief  myself  fifty-two 
reside  in  Ohio,  five  in  Pennsylvania,  seven  in  Indiana,  eight 
in  New  York,  five  in  Michigan,  three  in  Illinois,  three  in 
Iowa,  two  in  New  Jersey,  and  one  in  Wisconsin. 

"Their  Disability. — Loss  of  both  hands,  two;  loss  of  arm., 
twelve  ;  loss  of  leg,  eleven ;  consumption,  nine ;  paralysis, 
four ;  ophthalmia,  eight ;  chronic  rheumatism,  two  ;  spinal 
disease,  three ;  chronic  diarrhea,  four ;  injury  from  wounds 
received,  fifteen  ;  other  diseases,  thirteen.  Of  these,  seven- 
teen have  each  a  wife,  but  no  children  ;  one  has  a  wife  and 
six  children  ;  four  have  each  a  wife  and  five  children ;  nine 
have  each  a  wife  and  four  children;  eleven  have  each  a  wife 
and  three  children ;  thirteen  have  each  a  wife  and  two  chil- 
dren ;  ten  have  each  a  wife  and  one  child ;  three  have  aged 
mothers  dependent  on  them ;  and  eighteen  are  unmarried. 
I  have,  as  a  rule,  confined  this  relief  to  married  men  who 
did  not  wish  (and  ought  not  to  be  asked)  to  leave  their  fam- 
ilies and  go  into  one  of  our  asylums.  But  I  felt  compelled 
to  make  an  exception  in  a  few  cases  where  a  small  sum  of 
money  would  help  a  poor  cripple  to  new  crutches,  a  broken- 
down  mechanic  to  buy  tools  and  go  to  work,  an  anxious  stu- 
dent to  finish  a  course  in  book-keeping,  or  an  invalid  stranger 
to  buy  medicine  or  get  home  to  relations  and  friends.  While 
more  than  ever  convinced  of  the  propriety  of  this  feature  in 
our  work,  and  of  the  great  good  which  can  be  done  by  '  out- 
door relief,'  I  am  fearful  that  the  demand  made  upon  us  in 
this  way  will  soon  tax  our  utmost  capacity.  We  can  not  aid 
all  disabled  soldiers.  An  attempt  to  duplicate  the  pension 
list  would  soon  bankrupt  our  treasury.  I  have  therefore  been 
careful  to  confine  any  relief  to  cases  clearly  within  the  la\vf 


46  THE   NATIONAL   HOME    FOR 

and  to  continue  it  no  longer  than  was  absolutely  necessary. 
In  many  cases  I  gave  relief  in  winter  and  withheld  it  in  sum- 
mer. In  some  I  gave  it  while  an  application  for  bounty  and 
pension  was  pending,  but  withheld  it  after  they  were  granted 
and  received.  I  have  in  no  case  given  more  than  $10  per 
month — in  many  cases  less.  I  have  endeavored  to  impress 
upon  them  all  that  they  must  not  expect  this  as  regular,  per- 
manent relief,  but  only  as  an  occasional  help  when  all  other 
resources  failed ."  Very  respectfully. 

LEWIS  B.  GUNCKEL, 

One  of  the  Managers. 
Major-general  BENJ.  F.  BUTLER, 
President  Board  of  Managers  National  Asylum. 

"The  organization  of  this,  the  Central  Asylum,  as  an  insti- 
tution dates  from  March  26,  1867,  at  which  time  Hon.  L.  B. 
Gunckel,  resident  manager,  took  formal  charge  of  the  dis- 
abled soldiers  then  at  th£  Ohio  State  Home,  and  transferred 
them  to  the  care  of  the  National  Asylum. 

"The  grounds  where  this  institution  now  stands  were  taken 
possession  of  early  in  August,  1867,  and  the  first  men  were 
sheltered  here  September  2,  1867.  But  the  final  transfer  of 
all  the  disabled  soldiers  from  the  Ohio  State  Home  did  not 
take  place  until  the  very  last  days  of  1867  ;  so  that  it  is  not 
quite  three  years  since  this  branch  was  fully  established.  It 
has  always  been  the  warm  desire  of  the  resident  manager 
— and  this  desire  permeates  all  his  actions — to  make  this  a 
"home,"  a  real  "home,"  for  the  brave  men  disabled  in  the 
nation's  service,  but  it  was  his  first  care  to  provide  a  shelter 
as  speedily  as  possible  for  these  disabled  men,  and  temporary 
buildings  then  standing  at  Camp  Chase,  Ohio,  and  donated 
to  us  by  the  Government,  were  transferred  to  this  place  and 
re-erected  here ;  and  such  was  the  demand  for  shelter  that 
each  building  was  crowded  before  its  completion.  This  state 
of  affairs  existed  through  the  winter  and  spring  ot  1868.  Even 
temporary  shelter  could  not  be  provided  as  fast  as  it  was 
demanded,  and  the  Board  of  Managers  contracted  for  the 
maintenance  of  many  disabled  soldiers  at  some  of  the  old 
state  homes  until  buildings  sufficient  for  their  accommodation 
could  be  erected  here  and  at  the  other  barracks. 

Day  by  day  this  institution  grew  larger  until  it  has  assumed 
immense  proportions ;  and  large  as  it  even  now  is,  it  is 
scarcely  able  to  accommodate  the  number  of  men  who  rejoice 
in  and  are  blessed  by  its  benefits.  This  day  it  furnishes  a 
comfortable,  and>  in  some  respects,  luxurious  home  to  one 


DISABLED  VOLUNTEER  SOLDIERS.        47 

thousand  one  hundred  and  thirty  disabled  soldiers,  furnish- 
ing them  with  amusments,  entertainments,  literature,  educa- 
tion, moral  and  religious  instruction,  light  and  suitable 
employment,  good  quarters,  clean  clothing  and  linen,  and 
excellent  food,  In  addition  to  these  we  have  three  hundred 
and  fifty  men  on  furlough,  making  our  total  number  one 
thousand  four  hundred  and  eighty.  To  the  casual  observer, 
the  person  who  saw  this  place  in  1868,  and  did  not  again 
behold  it  until  1870,  the  rapid  growth  of  the  buildings,  and 
the  vast  improvement  and  ornamentation  of  the  grounds, 
seems  a  grandeur  of  design  and  a  miracle  of  execution;  in- 
deed, to  the  constant  observer  of  this  work  it  seemed  to 
progress  with  unexampled  rapidity.  To  the  efficient  local 
manager,  Hon.  L.  B.  Gunckel,  and  to  his  zeal  and  energy  in 
the  cause,  is  attributable  this  wonderful  advancement. 

We  conclude  this  article  with  the  following 
brief  but  pertinent  address,  delivered  by  Hon. 
L.  B.  Gunckel  at  the  dedication  of  the  new  hos- 
pital building,  in  May,  1870. 

A  little  over  two  years  ago  the  managers  of  the  National 
Asylum  purchased  these  grounds  and  authorized  me  to  com- 
mence work.  Winter  was  approaching,  and  hundreds  of 
sick  and  disabled  soldiers — homeless,  penniless,  and  almost 
friendless, — were  applying  for  admission.  We  could  not  wait 
for  plans  or  for  an  architect.  In  one  week  we  put  up  out  of 
Camp  Chase  lumber,  donated  by  congress,  the  first  of  the 
one-story  barracks,  and  it  was  filled  on  the  very  day  it  was 
completed.  The  next  week  we  put  up  another,  and  it  was 
immediately  filled.  So  we  went  on,  summer  and  winter, 
adding  building  to  building,  and  filling  each  as  soon  as  it  was 
completed.  First,  we  used  an  old  barn  for  a  dining-room ; 
becoming  too  small  we  added  a  wing ;  then  another,  and 
then  still  another;  finally  took  up  and  threw  out  the  old 
barn,  raised  the  whole  a  story  and  a  half,  and  so  made  the 
dining-hall  as  it  now  stands.  The  first  winter  we  cared  for 
some  seven  hundred  and  fifty  disabled  soldiers;  the  second 
winter  one  thousand ;  the  last  winter  our  rolls  showed  thir- 
teen hundred,  and  to-day  we  celebrate  the  completion  of 
another  building,  adding  to  our  capacity  three  hundred  more 
beds,  every  one  of  which  will  be  filled  during  the  coming 
winter.  Looking  at  these  buildings  and  grounds  to-day  we 


48  THE  NATIONAL   HOME   FOR 

are  painfully  sensible  of  the  fact  that  the  work  could  have 
been  better  done.  We  can  only  plead  that  under  many  em- 
barassments  and  difficulties  we  did  the  best  we  could.  Had 
we  thought  only  of  architectural  and  landscape  effect,  we 
could  perhaps  have  done  better  ourselves.  But  our  constant 
aim  has  been  to  care  for  the  disabled  soldiers,  and  provide 
for  them  a  home — a  pleasant,  comfortable,  and  happy  HOME; 
and  if  we  have  succeeded  in  that,  our  dearest  wishes  have 
been  realized  and  our  highest  ambition  has  been  gratified. 

As  an  item  of  history  we  append  the  following 
official  statements  relating  to  the  appointment  of 
the  Board  of  Managers : 

[PUBLIC  RESOLUTION— No.  24.] 

JOINT  RESOLUTION  appointing  managers  for  the  National  Asylum  for  Disabled 
Volunteer  Soldiers. 

Resolved  by  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  of  the 
United  States  of  America  in  Congress  assembled,  That  the 
following  persons  be,  and  they  are  hereby,  appointed  man- 
agers of  the  National  Asylum  for  Disabled  Volunteer  Sol- 
diers, under  the  provisions  and  conditions  of  the  third  section 
of  the  act  approved  March  twenty-three,  eighteen  hundred 
and  sixty-six:  Richard  J.  Oglesby,  of  Illinois,  Benjamin  F. 
Butler,  of  Massachusetts,  and  Frederick  Smythe,  of  New 
Hampshire,  of  the  first  class,  to  serve  six  years;  Lewis 
B.  Gunckel,  of  Ohio,  Jay  Cooke,  of  Pennsylvania,  and 
P.  Joseph  Osterhaus,  of  Missouri,  of  the  second  class,  to 
serve  four  years;  John  H.  Martindale,  of  New  York, 
Horatio  G.  Stebbins,  of  California,  and  George  H.  Walker, 
of  Wisconsin,  of  the  third  class,  to  serve  two  years. 

Approved  April  21,  1866. 

[No.  i.] 

JOINT  RESOLUTION  to  appoint  two  managers  for  the  National  Asylum  for  Dis- 
abled Volunteer  Soldiers,  to  fill  certain  vacancies. 

Be  it  resolved  by  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives 
of  the  United  States  of  America  in  Congress  assembled,  That 
Erastus  B.  Wolcott,  of  the  State  of  Wisconsin,  be,  and  he 
hereby  is,  appointed  a  manager  of  the  National  Asylum  for 
Disabled  Volunteer  Soldiers,  to  fill  the  vacancy  occasioned 
by  the  death  of  George  H.  Walker,  of  the  third  class  of 


DISABLED   VOLUNTEER   SOLDIERS.  49 

said  managers,  for  the  term  which  expires  on  the  twenty- 
first  day  of  April,  eighteen  hundred  and  sixty-eight;  and 
that  John  S.  Cavender,  of  the  State  of  Missouri,  be,  and  he  is 
hereby,  appointed  a  manager  of  said  corporation,  to  fill  the 
vacancy  occasioned  by  the  resignation  of  P.  Joseph  Oster- 
haus,  of  the  second  class  of  said  managers,  for  the  term 
which  expires  on  the  twenty-first  day  of  April,  eighteen 
hundred  and  seventy. 
Approved  December  7,  1866. 

[PUBLIC  RESOLUTION— No.  48.] 

A  RESOLUTION  appointing  managers  of  the  National  Asylum  for   Disabled   Vol- 
unteer Soldiers. 

Resolved  by  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  of 
the  United  States  of  America  in  Congress  assembled,  That  the 
following  persons  be,  and  they  are  hereby,  appointed  man- 
agers of  the  National  Asylum  for  Disabled  Volunteer  Sol- 
diers, under  the  provisions  of  the  second  section  of  the  act 
approved  March  twenty-third,  one  thousand  eight  hundred 
and  sixty-six :  Lewis  B.  Gunckel,  of  Ohio ;  Jay  Cooke,  of 
Pennsylvania;  and  John  S.  Cavender,  of  Missouri;  whose 
terms  expire  on  the  twenty-first  day  of  April,  in  the  year 
one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  seventy. 

Approved  June  9,  1870. 

[PUBLIC  RESOLUTION— No.  21.] 

JOINT  RESOLUTION  appointing  managers  of  the  National  Asylum  for  Disabled 
Soldiers,  and  for  other  purposes. 

Be  it  resolved  by  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives 
of  the  United  States  of  America  in  Congress  assembled,  That 
Erastus  B.  Wolcott,  of  Wisconsin,  John  H.  Martindale,  of 
New  York,  and  Hugh  L.  Bond,  of  Maryland,  be,  and  hereby 
are,  appointed  managers  of  the  National  Asylum  for  Dis- 
abled Soldiers,  under  the  provisions  and  conditions  of  the 
third  section  of  an  act  approved  March  twenty-third,  eight- 
een hundred  and  sixty-six,  from  the  twenty-first  of  April, 
eighteen  hundred  and  sixty-eight;  and  that  Hugh  L.  Bond, 
of  Maryland,  be,  and  is  hereby,  appointed  manager  to 
serve  out  the  unexpired  term  of  Horatio  G.  Stebbins,  of 
California,  resigned. 

SEC.  2.  And  be  it  further  enacted,  That  the  Secretary  of 
War  be  authorized  to  furnish,  from  the  captured  ordnance, 
such  ordnance  with  their  implements  as  he  may  deem  proper, 


50  THE   NATIONAL   HOME   FOR 

to  the  several  national  asylums  for  the  purpose  of  firing  sa- 
lutes; and  also  such  small  arms  and  equipments  as  may  be 
necessary  for  the  purpose  of  guard  duty  at  the  asylums. 

SCHUYLER  COLFAX, 
Speaker  of  the  House  of  Representatives. 

B.  F.  WADE, 

President  of  the  Senate,  pro  tempore. 
Indorsed  by  the  President :    "  Received  I2th  March,  1868." 

The  following  now  constitute  the  regular  Board 
of  Managers : 

THE  PRESIDENT  OF  THE  UNITED  STATE  ;  "j 
THE  CHIEF-JUSTICE  ;  v  Ex-Officio. 

THE  SECRETARY  OF  WAR.  J 

Maj-Gen.  B.  F.  BUTLER,  President,  Lowell,  Mass. 
Maj.-Gen.  J.  H.  MARTINDALE,  ist  V.  P.,  Rochester,  N.  Y. 
Gov.  FREDERICK  SMYTHE,  2d  V.  P.,  Manchester,  N.  H. 
Hon.  LEWIS  B.  GUNCKEL,  Secretary,  Dayton,  Ohio. 
Brig.-Gen.  JOHN  S.  CAVENDER,  St.  Louis,  Missouri. 
Hon.  HUGH  L.  BOND,  Baltimore,  Maryland. 
Dr.  ERASTUS  B.  WOLCOTT,  Milwaukee,  Wisconsin. 
Maj.Gen.  THOMAS  O.  OSBORN,  Chicago,  Illinois. 
Maj.-Gen.  JAMES  S.  NEGLEY,  Pittsburgh,  Penn. 


DISABLED   VOLUNTEER   SOLDIERS.  51 


A  COMPLETE  GUIDE-BOOK 


OF    THE 


CENTRAL  HOME. 


CONTAINING 


A  FULL  DESCRIPTION  OF  ALL  THE  OBJECTS  OF  INTER- 

EST,    INTERNAL  GOVERNMENT,   MISCELLANEOUS 

INCIDENTS,     CELEBRATIONS,     FESTIVALS, 

SCENERY,  BUILDINGS.  WORKSHOPS, 

BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES, 

ETC.,  ETC.,  ETC. 


The  city  of  Dayton,  near  which  the  Central 
Home  is  located,  is  a  beautiful  and  busy  city, 
with  a  population  of  about  forty  thousand,  and 
is  about  midway  between  Columbus  and  Cincin- 
nati. Its  extensive  streets  are  adorned  with  trees 
of  luxuriant  foliage,  while  most  of  the  private 
residences  are  beautified  with  neat  and  tasteful 
flower-gardens,  thus  entitling  it  to  the  appellation 
of  the  Garden  City.  It  is  likewise  noted  for  its 
numerou&  handsome  churches  and  other  impos- 


f)2  THE    NATIONAL    HOME   FOR 

ing  public  edifices.  From  the  city  of  Dayton 
the  ground  gradually  ascends  to  a  hill ;  and  the 
spacious  grounds,  rich  with  green  verdure  and 
embellished  with  stately  and  ornamental  shade- 
trees  that  cast  their  grateful  shadows  around,  are 
entered  through  a  handsome  gateway.  The  en- 
trance lodge  is  a  model  of  elegance  and  beauty.  It 
is  built  iii  the  old  cottage  style  and  attended  by  an 
old  soldier  whose  polite  and  self-satisfied  air  be- 
token his  thoughts  as  he  gracefully  salutes  you, 
and  by  his  action  indicates  a  welcome  to  his  beau- 
tiful home  a  little  farther  on,  which  now  begins  to 
reveal  itself  in  all  its  grandeur. 

HOW  TO  VISIT  THE  HOME. 

The  Third  Street  Railroad  connects  with  the 
Home  Avenue  Railroad,  which  delivers  passen- 
gers at  a  total  cost  for  fare  of  thirty  cents,  both 
ways,  directly  at  the  Home  ground.  On  arriving 
at  head-quarters  competent  guides,  attired  in  the 
uniform  of  the  Home  and  designated  with  a  badge, 
will  be  found  in  readiness  to  receive  visitors,  con- 
duct them  over  the  ground,  and  impart  such  in- 
formation as  may  be  desired.  Before  following 
the  guide  it  may  interest  the  reader  to  learn 
something  of  the 

INTERNAL  GOVERNMENT  OF  THE  HOME. 
Upon    the   governor    devolves  the    important 


DISABLED   VOLUNTEER   SOLDIERS.  53 

duties  of  the  management  and  regulation  of  the 
Home;  and  when  it  is  considered  that  it  com- 
prises men  of  all  nationalities,  and  as  soldiers  gen- 
erally are  men  of  the  world,  with  strong  passions 
and  varied  temperaments,  it  will  be  conceded  that 
this  is  not  an  easy  task.  The  governor  is  Col- 
onel E.  F.  Brown,  formerly  colonel  of  the  28th 
regiment  of  New  York  volunteers,  who  lost  an 
arm  in  the  service  of  his  country.  Colonel 
Brown  is  ably  assisted  in  the  performance  of  his 
arduous  duties  by  Major  J.  B.  Thomas,  treasurer  ; 
Capt.  R.  E.  Fleming,  secretary  ;  Dr.  J.  M.  Weaver, 
surgeon  ;  W.  Earnshaw,  chaplain  ;  Captain  Wil- 
liam Thompson,,  steward;  Mrs.  E.  L.  Miller,  ma- 
tron ;  each  one  having  separate  and  designated 
duties. 

THE  RECEPTION  OF  INMATES. 

After  the  applicant  has  presented  his  discharge, 
with  a  statement  of  his  disability,  he  is  examined 
by  the  surgeon  in  charge.  After  the  medical  of- 
ficers have  certified  to  the  disability  of  the  ap- 
plicant, and  it  has  been  found  that  his  disability 
is  clearly  traceable  to  his  service  in  the  army,  and 
upon  his  showing  an  honorable  discharge  from 
the  service  and  fully  identifying  himself,  his  case 
is  submitted  to  a  manager,  and  upon  his  approval, 
and  his  alone,  the  applicant  is  admitted.  On  ad- 


54  THE   NATIONAL   HOME    FOR 

mission  the  applicant  is  sworn  to  keep  and  ob- 
serve the  rules  and  orders  the  Board  of  Managers 
may  make  for  the  Home.  He  is  then  assigned  to 
barracks  and  furnished  with  a  complete  suit  of 
clothes  of  uniform  style.  Men  in  receipt  of  a  pen- 
sion from  the  Government  are  required  to  give  up 
their  pension  papers  to  purchase  their  own  clothes 
after  the  first  suit,  and  to  provide  their  own  to- 
bacco. Non-pensioners  are  allowed  such  articles 
of  clothing  as  their  necessities  may  actually  re- 
quire. 

PAYMENT  OF  MONEY. 

• 

The  quarterly  payments  of  the  money  to  which 
the  pensioners  are  entitled,  are  received  by  the 
treasurer  on  behalf  of  and  as  trustee  and  banker 
of  the  pensioners.  When  the  amount  of  money 
has  been  placed  to  the  credit  of  the  pensioner  he 
can  make  application  for  and  receive  the  same,  pro- 
vided it  is  required  for  any  proper  or  useful  pur- 
pose ;  but  he  will  not  be  allowed  the  pension  for 
the  purpose  of  squandering  it  in  dissipation.  A 
large  amount  is  from  time  to  time  transmitted  to 
the  wives  and  families  of  pensioners,  by  means  of 
money-orders  and  registered  letters;  the  Home 
post-office  being  legally  constituted  for  this  pur- 
pose. The  pensioner  may  also  allow  his  pension 
to  accumulate  in  charge  of  the  treasurer  of  the 


N 

DISABLED   VOLUNTEER   SOLDIERS.  55 

C/ .       * -'/ , 

Home,  when  interest  is  allowed  on  the  amount. 
Every  man  on  taking  his  discharge  is  entitled  to 
and  receives  the  amount  of  money  then  standing 
to  his  credit. 

RE-ADMISSION  TO  THE  HOME. 

It  frequently  occurs  that  men  who  have  taken 
a  discharge  from  the  Home  on  the  supposition 
that  they  will  be  able  to  maintain  themselves  out- 
side, have  been  compelled  to  return  and  apply  for 
re-admission.  These  men  are,  on  application,  ad- 
mitted temporarily  until  the  next  meeting  of  the 
Board  of  Managers,  when  their  applications  are 
considered  and  acted  upon  ;  and  if  no  good  reason 
exist  to  the  contrary,  they  are  re-admitted  upon 
such  conditions  as  the  Board  of  Managers  see  fit 
to  impose.  It  often  happens  that  men  having 
good  intentions  fail  of  success ;  yet  if  they  have 
shown  reasonable  effort  they  are  usually  re- ad- 
mitted unconditionally;  but  if  they  have  failed 
through  unsoldierly  conduct,  or  have  squandered 
their  money  in  a  short  time,  the  Board  usually 
imposes  such  penalties  as  will  teach  them  lessons 
of  care  and  economy  in  the  future,  by  directing 
that  they  do  such  labor  as  the  governor  may 
direct  for  a  stated  period;  or  if  a  pensioner,  that 
he  forfeit  to  the  Home  a  certain  portion  of  his 
pension  for  a  stated  period.  These  are  whole- 


56  THE   NATIONAL   HOME   FOR 

some  regulations  and  have   a  tendency  to  quiet 
the  restless  spirit  of  the  discontented  soldier. 

PENSIONERS  AND  NON-PENSIONERS. 

Of  the  inmates  a  considerable  number  are  in 
receipt  of  pensions,  liberally  granted  by  the 
United  States  government,  while  many  are  not 
in  receipt  of  any  pension,  owing  to  the  fact  that 
they  have  been  unable,  from  various  causes,  to 
obtain  the  necessary  evidence  to  establish  their 
claim  ;  some  from  neglect  on  their  own  part  in 
advancing  their  claims  at  the  proper  time,  and 
others  from  disabilities  breaking  out  subsequent 
to  the  close  of  the  war  and  which  they  had  con- 
sidered and  hoped  might  be  only  of  a  temporary 
character.  For  the  purpose  of  admission  to  the 
Home  the  same  strict  evidence  is  not  required  as 
is  properly  demanded  at  the  pension  bureau. 

ORDER  AND  CLEANLINESS. 

The  rules  to  be  observed  by  inmates  are  for  the 
perfecting  of  order  and  cleanliness;  the  sup- 
pression of  bad  language,  intoxication,  bringing 
liquor  into  camp,  not  to  be  absent  without  leave, 
and  the  observance  of  proper  respect  for  them- 
selves and  others. 

PASSES  AND  FURLOUGHS. 

Any  man  desiring  to  be  absent  a  day  or  two 


DISABLED   VOLUNTEER   SOLDIERS.  57 

can  have  a  pass  for  that  purpose  on  application, 
and  a  furlough  for  thirty,  sixty,  or  ninety  days,  as 
may  be  desired.  On  obtaining  a  furlough  he  is 
required  to  take  and  pay  for  his  transportation, 
going  and  returning,  before  his  furlough  is  given 
to  him,  the  Board  having  an  arrangement  with  all 
the  railroads  in  the  United  States  and  Canada  to 
transport  inmates  of  the  Home  at  one  half  the 
usu&l  rates. 

DISCHARGES. 

By  a  resolution  of  the  Board  of  Managers  the 
power  to  grant  honorable  discharges  is  delegated 
to  the  governor.  He  is  expected  to  observe  a 
good  degree  of  caution,  however,  in  its  exercise. 
Beneficiaries  often  ask  to  be  discharged, — from  a 
restless,  uneasy  disposition, — preferring  a  change 
even  at  the  risk  of  destitution  and  suffering. 
Some  having  fitted  themselves  by  learning  a  trade 
at  the  Home-shops,  or  having  obtained  an  educa- 
tion at  the  Home-school,  are  thereby  enabled  to 
earn  a  living.  Whenever  an  honorable  discharge 
is  given  it  is  accompanied  with  a  certificate  of 
good  character,  which  is  in  a  manner  a  recom- 
mendation to  such,  soldier  seeking  employ- 
ment. 

If  one  fails  in  making  a  living  he  can  only  be 

re-admitted  on  the  order  of  the  Board  of  Mana- 
5 


58  THE   NATIONAL   HOME   FOR 

gers.  Honorably  discharged  soldiers  may  easily 
obtain  re-admission  ;  but  in  cases  of  dishonorable 
discharge,  not  so  easily.  Dishonorable  discharges 
for  misconduct  or  desertion  require  the  action 
and  approval  of  the  president  of  the  Board. 

As  a  rule,  there  has  been  nothing  of  which  to 
complain  in  the  conduct  of  the  beneficiaries  of 
the  institution.  A  few  bad  men  have  been  dis- 
missed or  have  deserted ;  all  others  have  been 
obedient,  tractable,  arid  contented,  without  ex- 
ception, when  not  in  liquor. 

DISCIPLINE. 

It  will  be  observed  that  each  of  the  branches  is 
placed  from  three  to  five  miles  from  the  city 
nearest  its  location.  Experience  demonstrates 
most  surely  the  necessity  for  this,  although  econ- 
omy in  transportion  at  first  thought  would  seem  to 
demand  the  location  of  the  asylums  in  the  cities 
themselves.  The  soldiers  without  intoxicating 
.drinks  require  no  restraint,  with  very  rare  ex- 
ceptions, and  the  only  discipline  needed  is  that  of 
a  well-regulated  household  where  the  word  of  the 
master  is  the  law  of  kindness.  If  liquors  can  be 
kept  from  the  soldier,  he  makes  no  trouble. 
Taught  by  his  service  the  habit  and  necessity  of 
obedience  to  his  superiors,  he  is  docile  beyond 
other  classes  of  men.  But  when  influenced  with 


DISABLED   VOLUNTEER   SOLDIERS.  59 

drink  lie  becomes  uncontrollable,  insubordinate, 
and  vicious ;  hence  the  necessity  of  keeping  him 
away  from  temptation,  to  which  he  is  hourly  ex- 
posed in  the  city.  Well  and  kindly  disposed  men 
see  no  harm — nay,  they  view  it  as  a  sort  of  patri- 
otic duty, — to  treat  a  wounded  or  one-armed  or 
one-legged  soldier,  little  reckoning  the  conse- 
quences of  their  hospitality. 

The  discipline  established  has  been  designed  to 
be  firm  but  kind :  for  light  offenses,  a  reprimand 
or  deprivation  of  privileges ;  for  graver  offenses, 
confinement ;  for  incorrigibility,  expulsion.  In 
this  latter  case  the  Board  has  established  a  regu- 
lation allowing  a  trial  by  court-martial,  composed 
of  officers  and  men  of  the  branch,  with  appeal  to 
the  president  of  the  Board. 

AVERAGE  RATE  OF  WAGES  PAID. 
A  large  number  of  inmates  are  employed  wh@ 
receive  money  wages.  Checks  are  also  issued 
which  will  purchase  at  the  Home  store  any  ar- 
ticle that  may  be  obtained  in  a  city  store,  and  at 
the  same  price.  The  rate  of  pay  for  common  la- 
bor is  thirty  cents  per  day  in  winter,  and  forty 
cents  in  summer.  Skilled  labor  commands  more, 
but  in  about  the  same  proportion. 

THE  ELECTIVE  FRANCHISE. 
All  inmates  of  the  Home  who  comply  with  the 
requirement  of  the  law  are  entitled  to  the  rights 


60  THE   NATIONAL   HOME    FOR* 

of  citizens  of  the  State  of  Ohio,  and  as  such  are 
entitled  to  vote  at  all  elections  of  the  state.  On 
several  election  occasions  it  has  been  admitted  by 
all  parties  that  the  peace,  order,  and  good-will  ex- 
hibited by  so  large  and  varied  a  number  of  voters 
and  partisans  compare  favorably  with  any  city 
or  town  in  the  state. 

NUMBER  OF  INMATES. 

The  number  of  inmates  present  and  absent  on 
the  30th  of  November,  1874,  was  two  thousand 
five  hundred  and  eighty-one,  being  five  hundred 
and  thirty-four  over  all  the  other  branches  com- 
bined ;  but  they  are  continually  coming  and  going 
— a  few  on  discharges  and  others  on  furloughs. 
From  its  central  position  and  the  healthfulness 
and  salubrity  of  the  climate,  the  number  of  in- 
mates si  considerably  greater  than  at  the  other 
homes. 

EMPLOYMENT  OF  INMATES. 

It  has  been  a  cherished  object  of  the  mana- 
gers to  encourage  employment  of  every  kind  by 
giving  moderate  compensation  for  all  kinds  of 
useful  labor.  All  non-commissioned  officers,  clerks, 
ward-masters,  nurses,  engineers,  carpenters,  cooks, 
bakers,  waiters,  etc.,  are  inmates  of  the  Home ; 
and  they  are  paid  for  their  work.  Workshops  are 


DISABLED   VOLUNTEER   SOLDIERS.  61 

numerous  for  all  mechanical  branches ;  and  here 
can  be  seen,  at  all  times,  painters,  cabinet-mak- 
ers, blacksmiths,  tinsmiths,  carpenters,  plumbers, 
gas-fitters,  tailors,  shoe-makers,  broom-makers, 
saddlers,  harness- makers,  cigar-makers,  stocking- 
makers,  upholsterers,  book-binders,  and  printers, 
all  busily  engaged,  and  encouraged  to  work  at 
their  trades ;  also,  others  to  learn  a  trade  if  they 
are  so  disposed.  In  the  construction,  all  the  paint- 
ing was  done  by  the  Home  painters,  some  of  whom 
have  only  one  arm.  Much  of  the  furniture  in  the 
buildings  was  made  by  disabled  soldiers;  and  a 
considerable  portion  of  the  lighter  work,  such  as 
smoothing  and  ornamenting  the  grounds,  was 
done  by  them.  They  perform  nearly  all  the  work 
in  the  garden,  orchards,  and  farm,  and  in  improv- 
ing and  beautifying  the  place. 

MEETING  OF  THE  BOARD  OF  MANAGERS. 

The  Board  of  Managers  of  the  national  homes 
meet  quarterly  every  year  at  one  or  other  of  the 
homes,  or  Washington  city,  for  the  purpose  of 
transacting  the  necessary  business  relating  to  them 
and  the  making  of  such  rules  and  regulations  as 
may  be  necessary  for  their  good  government. 
THE  ATTRACTIONS  OF  THE  HOME— THE  DEPOT. 

On  reaching  the  precincts  of  the  Home  the  vis- 
itor in  alighting  from  the  cars  steps  upon  a  con- 


62  THE   NATIONAL   HOME  FOR 

venient  platform;  then  ascending  either  to  the 
right  or  the  left,  by  broad  stairways  of  unique  de- 
sign, he  finds  himself  on  the  portico  of  the  depot. 
This  building  is  constructed  in  the  Gothic  style 
of  architecture  and  presents  a  highly  picturesque 
appearance.  On  both  sides  of  the  building  are 
balconies,  ornamented  with  railings  of  tasteful 
pattern  and  supplied  with  comfortable  settees. 
The  sitting  and  refreshment  rooms  are  neatly  fur- 
nished, and  afford  the  accommodation  of  hot  cof- 
fee, ice-cream,  and  other  refreshments,  at  the  regu- 
lar city  prices.  Passing  through  the  rear  entrance 
of  the  depot  the  visitor  reaches,  by  means  of  steps 
constructed  of  rough-hewn  stones  from  the  Home 
quarries,  abroad  and  sloping  avenue.  After  paus- 
ing to  admire  a  spacious  rustic  summer-house,  he 
proceeds  farther  on  and  arrives  on  an  open  space, 
from  whence  a  magnificent  picture  presents  itself 
to  the  view.  At  the  right  is  a  beautiful  flag-staff, 
with  the  dear  old  flag  floating  high  in  the  breezes 
of  heaven.  The  siege-guns  and  mortars,  with  pyr- 
amids of  shot  and  shell,  and  a  battery  in  position 
as  in  battle,  fill  the  beholder  with  thrilling  mem- 
ories. And  standing  almost  directly  in  front  is 
the  imposing  head-quarter  building,  which,  in  ad- 
dition to  the  offices,  contains  the  large  Putnam 
Library  hall.  Then  turning  the  eye  to  the  right, 
the  beautiful  Home  church  is  in  full  view ;  and 


DISABLED   VOLUNTEER   SOLDIERS.  63 

beyond,  on  a  knoll,  shaded  by  forest- trees,  stands 
the  residence  of  the  chaplain ;  and,  still  farther 
to  the  right,  the  magnificent  and  commodious  hos- 
pital charms  the  beholder ;  and  a  little  farther  on 
the  neat  cottage  of  the  resident  surgeon,  shaded 
by  trees  and  surrounded  by  a  lovely  lawn,  com- 
pletes the  picture  in  that  direction.  As  the  vis- 
itor looks  to  the  north-westward  he  beholds  the 
soldiers'  monument,  rising  from  a  hill-top  in  the 
distance,  which  marks  the  place  where  the  heroes 
sleep.  Keeping  the  same  position,  he  may  turn 
the  eye  to  the  left  and  observe  a  rustic  arbor,  the 
grotto,  the  springs,  the  flower-garden,  the  fount- 
ain, the  conservatory,  and  the  lakes ;  and  still  let- 
ting the  eye  sweep  onward,  he  sees  the  rustic 
bridges,  the  beautiful  groves,  the  deer-park,  the 
veteran  spring,  the  governor's  residence  with  its 
surrounding  trees  and  flowers,  the  residences  of 
the  treasurer,  the  secretary,  and  the  steward,  all 
beautifully  located  on  the  borders  of  the  grove; 
also  Music  IIa.ll,  the  long  line  of  neat  and  com- 
fortable barracks,  where  twenty-five  hundred  vet- 
erans rest  from  the  fight;  the  large  and  comfortable 
dining-hall,  kitchen,  bakery,  laundry,  workshops  ; 
the  tasteful  band  pagoda,  the  Home-store  build- 
ing, and  the  quarter- master  and  commissary  store 
building,  which  make  this  splendid  picture  com- 
plete. Then  from  this  point  the  visitor  may 


64  THE   NATIONAL   HOME  FOR 

choose  his  route  and  feast  upon  the  wonders  of 
the  warriors'  resting-place,  not  forgetting  to  fol- 
low a  gentlemanly  guide  beyond  the  woods  and 
looking  in  upon  the  farm,  the  farmer's  residence, 
the  vegetable  garden,  the  barn,  the  stable,  and 
the  magnificent  stock  that  graze  upon  the  broad 
acres  of  the  Home  farm. 

THE  FIELD  BATTERY 

Consists  of  brass  pieces,  fully  mounted  and  formed 
in  battle  array.  From  this  battery  are  fired  the 
salutes  announcing  the  rising  and  the  setting  of 
the  sun.  The  whole  forms  the  picture  of  a  regular 
garrison. 

HEAD-QUARTERS,  LIBRARY,  AND  READING-ROOM. 
This  building  is  located  on  the  main  avenue,  a 
little  to  the  south  and  east  of  the  chapel,  and  is 
really  the  key  by  which  all  that  is  interesting  and 
attractive  is  to  be  reached  and  studied.  This 
structure  is  130  by  41  feet,  three  stories, — the  third 
being  a  Mansard, — constructed  of  brick,  with  Day- 
ton limestone  trimmings  and  surrounded  by  broad 
verandas  that  completely  embrace  the  building. 
The  first  story,  which  is  twelve  feet  in  height,  is 
set  apart  to  the  head-quarter  officers,  consisting  of 
a  well  furnished  suite  of  rooms  for  the  governor 
of  the  institution  and  the  secretary,  and  one  each 
for  the  adjutant  and  the  treasurer.  These  rooms 


iSatiM 


THE   HOSPITAL  CARRIAGE  AND  HORSES. 


DISABLED   VOLUNTEER   SOLDIERS.  65 

are  approached  from  the  south,  and  command  full 
views  of  the  premises  in  almost  all'  directions. 

The  great  feature  of  this  building  is  the  library 
and  reading-room,  which  is  one  of  the  most  beau- 
tiful and  complete  in  the  State  of  Ohio.  This 
room  is  104  by  41  feet.  It  embraces  both  the  sec- 
ond and  third  stories,  which  furnish  an  apart- 
ment nineteen  feet  in  height.  The  room  is  lighted 
by  day  from  ten  windows  each  on  the  north  and 
south  sides,  and  at  night  by  Frink's  cone  reflect- 
ors. It  is  light,  airy,  and  cheerful.  The  walls 
are  painted  a  neutral  color,  which,  while  it  is  pleas- 
ant to  the  eye,  harmonizes  with  the  handsomely 
frescoed  ceiling,  and  affords  a  charming  back- 
ground for  the  one  hundred  and  fifty  chromos, 
engravings,  aucl  photographs  that  adorn  the  walls. 

The  walls  terminate  in  a  tastefully  frescoed  cor- 
nice. The  ceiling  is  frescoed  in  irregular  panels 
on  the  outer  borders,  which  embrace  a  light  drab 
field.  On  the  latter  is  a  central  figure,  represent- 
ing a  tasteful  combination  of  all  the  army  badges, 
which  at  once  becomes  both  significant  and  beau- 
tiful. On  the  west  is  an  illuminated  representation 
of  the  goddess  of  war,  and  on  the  east  a  rep  re  - 
sentation  of  the  goddess  of  peace.  Figures  show- 
ing the  genii  of  music,  art,  literature,  the  army 
and  navy,  occupy  other  and  appropriate  places. 

At  the  east  end  of  the  spacious  room  is  what 


66  THE   NATIONAL   HOME   FOR 

is  known  as  the  Putnam  Library.  It  comprises 
complete  copies  (forty  volumes)  of  the  London 
Art  Union,  all  handsomely  bound  in  morocco, 
Audubon's  Birds,  Grecian  Antiquities  (four  large 
volumes),  Mediaeval  Architecture,  the  complete 
works  of  Dickens,  Scott,  Cooper,  and  others  of 
the  most  valuable  of  English  and  American  au- 
thors. These  books  are  inclosed  in  a  case  that 
completely  fills  the  east  end  of  the  hall.  The 
case  is  constructed  of  black  and  white  walnut, 
with  massive  doors  filled  with  plate  glass ;  and  it 
should  be  stated  that  it  was  constructed  through- 
out by  the  soldiers  of  the  Home.  Over  the  li- 
brary is  massive  ornamental  scroll-work,  in  the 
center  of  which  is  the  portrait  of  Mrs.  Putnam's 

son. 
At  the  west  end  of  the  hall,  in  a  case  of  but 

little  less  proportions,  is  the  collection  known 
as  the  George  H.  Thomas  Library,  which  embraces 
all  books  belonging  to  the  institution  not  donated 
by  Mrs.  Putnam.  A  neat  wire  screen  protects  the 
books  from  intruders.  Scroll-work,  like  that  at 
the  east  end,  surmounts  the  case,  and  is  hand- 
somely dispersed  about  the  picture  of  the  lamented 
Thomas. 

On  the  floor  are  fourteen  stands,  each  large 
enough  to  hold  from  four  to  six  papers.  Forty 
daily,  one  hundred  and  ten  weekly  secular,  and 


DISABLED   VOLUNTEER   SOLDIERS.  67 

one  hundred  and  fifty  weekly  religious  newspa- 
pers are  supplied  to  the  rooms,  besides  all  the 
leading  periodicals  of  the  country.  The  floor  is 
covered  with  matting,  the  room  supplied  with 
tables  and  chairs,  the  library  case  embraced  by 
railing,  and  every  provision  made  for  the  safety 
of  the  books,  the  comfort  of  the  readers,  and  the 
complete  appointments  of  a  first-class  library. 
Well  might  Chaplain  Earnshaw  point  with  pride 
to  the  result  of  his  labors. 

The  formal  opening  of  the  library  took  place 
in  April,  1871. 

It  was  quite  proper  that  the  acquisition  of  such 
an  auxiliary  to  the  Home  should  be  properly  cel- 
brated.  To  this  end  a  day  was  set  apart  for  the 
formal  opening  of  the  library,  and  a  number  of 
distinguished  gentlemen  from  abroad  were  invited 
to  speak  to  the  soldiers.  Ex-governor  Dennison 
of  Ohio,  Lieutenant-governor  Cumback  of  Indiana, 
General  E.  F.  Noyes  of  Cincinnati,  Hon.  Samuel 
Galloway  of  Columbus,  and  Ex-secretary  Cox  of 
Cincinnati,  were  invited  to  make  short  addresses. 
All  responded  except  Governor  Cox,  who  was  un- 
expectedly called  elsewhere.  These  gentlemen  were 
the  guests  of  Colonel  Brown,  the  efficient  governor 
of  the  Home,  and,  after  dinner  at  his  residence, 
they  repaired  immediately  to  Music  Hall,  where 
the  opening  ceremonies  were  to  occur,  and  where 


68  THE   NATIONAL   HOME    FOR 

a  large  audience  had  already  assembled,  embrac- 
ing not  only  the  soldiers  of  the  institution,  but 
many  ladies  and  gentlemen  from  Dayton  and  else- 
where. 

The  speaking  having  ceased,  on  motion  of  Col. 
Brown,  the  soldiers  adopted  a  vote  of  thanks 
to  the  orators,  and  clinched  it  with  three  hearty 
cheers  and  a  tiger. 

All  were  then  invited  to  the  library-room,  where, 
until  darkness  began  to  gather  upon  the  land- 
scape, visitors  remained  admiring  the  ample  pro- 
visions they  had  just  dedicated  to  the  use  of  those 
to  whom  the  country  owes  a  debt,  the  interest  of 
which  it  can  alone  hope  to  pay. 

We  close  our  description  with  the  following 
beautiful  and  appropriate  tribute  from  the  pen  of 
the  ex-officio  librarian,  Chaplain  Earnshaw : 

"The  Putnam  Library  is  the  gift  of  Mrs.  Mary  Lowell  Put- 
nam, of  Boston,  Massachusetts,  to  the  veterans  of  the  'Na- 
tional Asylum  for  Disabled  Volunteer  Soldiers,'  at  Dayton, 
Ohio,  as  a  memorial  of  her  gallant  son,  Lieutenant  William 
Lowell  Putnam,  of  the  twentieth  Massachusetts  regiment  of 
infantry,  who  fell,  mortally  wounded,  at  the  battle  of  Bali's 
Bluff,  and  died  the  following  day  ;  thus  offering  up  his  young 
and  beautiful  life  to  maintain  the  honor  and  integrity  of  his 
country, 

"There  could  be  no  more  fitting  illustration  of  the  pure 
patriotism  and  magnificent  heroism  that  characterized  the 
young  men  of  our  country  at  the  time  when  'traitors  insulted 
our  flag,'  than  that  furnished  by  the  young  soldier  whose 
honored  name  this  superb  library  bears.  Though  very  young, 
he  had  spent  seven  years  in  Europe,  completing  his  educa- 
tion, and  traveling  over  most  of  the  continent;  but,  at  the 
first  sound  of  war,  he  hastened  home  to  place  himself  in  the 


DISABLED   VOLUNTEER   SOLDIERS.  69 

front  ranks  of  his  country's  defenders;  and,  in  less  than 
three  months  from  the  time  he  enlisted,  his  name  was  placed 
in  the  bright  galaxy  of  the  '  martyrs  to  liberty.1 

"  And  those  of  us  who  had  the  honor  to  serve  in  the  same 
glorious  cause,  and  have  so  fortunately  survived  to  enjoy  the 
blessings  he  died  to  purchase,  may  look  upon  his  face  (so 
finely  delineated  by  the  artist),  which  adorns  the  beautiful 
hall,  where  the  rich  gifts  of  his  loving  mother  are  treasured, 
a-nd  ever  revere  his  glorious  memory  and  strive  to  emulate 
his  noble  example. 

"  'At  the  age  of  eighteen,'  writes  Dr.  Guepin,  of  Nantes, 
'  he  returned  to  us  a  young  poet  and  serious  thinker,  under 
the  form  of  a  tall,  handsome  youth,  as  modest  and  reserved 
in  society,  as"  firm  and  courageous  in  the  practice  of  his  duties. 
His  dream  for  the  future  had  not  changed;  it  was  still  that 
of  serving  the  interests  of  his  country  and  humanity  as  an 
historian.' 

"  In  addition  to  the  fine  collection  of  standard  and  illus- 
trated books  in  the  library,  Mrs.  Putnam  has  presented  about 
two  hundred  paintings,  steel  engravings,  chromos,  and  other 
pictures,  in  appropriate  frames,  making  a  most  interesting 
and  valuable  collection,  and  furnishing  elegant  adornment 
for  the  walls  of  the  room ;  and  also  a  superior  camera  for 
viewing  pictures;  all  of  which  she  has  delivered  to  the 
Home  free  of  any  expense. 

"  That  this  munificent  gift  is  duly  appreciated  by  the  in- 
mates of  the  Home  is  shown  by  the  constant  use  of  the  books 
— the  number  of  volumes  taken  out  being  greater  in  propor- 
tion than  that  of  many  larger  collections  ;  while  the  admi- 
ration and  encomiums  of  the  thousands  of  visitors  form  a 
perpetual  tribute  to  the  noble  donor." 

DONATIONS. 

A  very  interesting  collection  of  relics,  consist- 
ing of  shells,  bayonets,  and  other  implements  oi 
war,  from  many  battle-fields.     Among  other  at- 
tractions we  mention : 
A  superb  pulpit  Bible,  by  Rev.  Wm.  Herr. 
A  beautiful  kaleidoscope  presented  by  Lieutenant   H.   E 
Scott. 
Miniature  cottage  home,  presented  by  Mr.  T,  -K.   Kibby, 

-> 


70  THE  NATIONAL   HOME   FOR 

A  section  of  the  backbone  of  a  whale,  presented  by  Major 
Bickham. 

Piece  of  Andersonville  stockade  and  dead-line,  presented 
by  Miss  Eaton. 

Piece  of  stockade  found  in  underground  tunnel  laid  by 
Union  prisoners  to  escape  from  the  Salisbury,  North  Caro- 
lina, prison-pen,  presented  by  Sergeant  Richardson. 

Ivory  carvings  done  in  India,  presented  by  Edward  Hard- 
castle  to  Mrs.  Mary  Lowell  Putnam  and  by  her  presented  to 
the  Home. 

Centenial  cup  and  saucer  used  at  the  tea-party,  Boston, 
December,  16,  1873,  donated  by  Mrs.  Putnum.  Also  cup 
and  saucer  from  the  Philadelphia  centennial  tea-party,  do- 
nated by  Mrs.  General  I.  W.  Hoffman,  of  Philadelphia,  Pa. 

Fine  stereoscopic  views. 

General  Grant's  saddle  from  Fort  Henry,  February  7,  1862, 
to  Appomatox,  April  9,  1865. 

Theatrical  sword  taken  from  one  of  General  Zollikoffer's 
aids  at  Mill  Springs,  Kentucky,  presented  by  Colonel  F.  T. 
Foster. 

Hand-lathe  made  at  Nashville,  Tennessee,  by  a  soldier  at 
the  close  of  the  war  for  Major-general  G.  H.  Thomas,  and 
by  his  widow  presented  to  the  Home. 

A  musical  clock  performing  a  variety  of  favorite  airs,  pre- 
sented by  W.  McGrew,  Esq.,  of  Cincinnati. 

THE  CHURCH, 

With  its  tapering  spire  pointing  to  heaven,  is  a 
neat  and  tasteful  edifice,  built  in  the  Gothic  style 
of  architecture,  of  freestone  faced  with  a  light 
reddish  stone,  which  has  an  excellent  effect  with 
the  American  ivy  growing  upon  the  walls.  The 
windows  are  of  stained  glass ;  the  interior  is  fres- 
coed with  much  taste,  and  the  national  colors  are 
draped  across  the  ceiling.  Back  of  the  pulpit  and 
near  the  ceiling  is  the  seal  of  the  institution 
wrought  in  stained  glass,  with  the  inscription, 


DISABLED   VOLUNTEER   SOLDIERS.  71 

"  The  Nation  to  her  Defenders."  In  front  of  the 
minister's  desk  there  is  an  'elegant  ebony  flower- 
stand,  placed  upon  which  is  usually  a  vase  of  fresh- 
ly-cut flowers.  The  floor  is  covered  with  handsome 
carpet,  and  seats  cushioned.  The  wood- work  is  ot 
walnut  and  ash,  and  on  the  back  of  each  seat  there 
is  a  rack  containing  a  Bible  and  hymn-book.  In- 
deed it  has  all  the  minor  things  which  make  a 
temple  of  Q-od  inviting.  The  magnificent  set  of 
plate  used  for  communion  and  baptismal  services 
comprises  eight  beautiful  and  massive  pieces,  and 
are  the  gift  of  Messrs.  Adams  &  Chandler,  of 
New  York  City.  The  laying  of  the  corner-stone 
of  this  church  was  made  a  most  interesting  oc- 
casion; the  exercises  consisting  of  numerous  ad- 
dresses by  several  distinguished  statesmen  and  by 
ministers  representing  various  denominations, 
music  from  the  Home  band,  singing  by  the  choir, 
and  a  national  salute  from  the  battery.  The  list 
of  articles  deposited  in  the  corner-stone  is  as  fol- 
lows: 


Copy  of  the  Holy  Scriptures  and  hymn-book. 

Constitution  of  the  United  States. 

Blue  book  containing  the  names  of  the  president,  vice- 

E  resident,  and  officers  of  the  United  States  army  and  mem- 
ers  of  congress. 

Charter  of  the  National  Home  and  by-laws  adopted  by 
the  Board  of  Managers. 

Annual  report  of  the  Board  of  Managers  to  congress,  de- 
tailing the  work  of  the  Home  for  the  year  1867. 
6 


72  TDE    NATIONAL  HOME   FOR 

History  of  the  Central  Home,  with  report  of  number  of 
inmates  during  the  year  1868,  with  their  ages,  disability,  and 
nativity. 

Names  and  photographs  of  officers  of  the  Central  Home. 

Names  and  photographs  of  the  Board  of  Managers. 

One  copy  of  each  newspaper  on  file  in  reading-room  of 
the  Home. 

Copy  of  Oldroyd's  picture,  "Might  of  the  Republic." 

Copy  of  hynn&s  sung  on  the  occasion  of  the  corner-stone 
laying,  with  names  of  speakers.-  . 

Names  of  master-builder  and  architect. 

Names  of  landscape  gardener,  and  contractor  and  photo- 
graphs. 

Photographs  of  inmates  in  the  Home  and  their  names. 

Photograph  of  Lieutenant  W  L.  Putnam,  who  was  killed 
at  the  battle  of  Ball's  Bluff,  October  21,  1862,  and  son  of 
the  donor  of  the  magnificent  Putnam  Library. 

A  miniature  flag  of  the  country. 

The  chaplain,  W.  Earnshaw,  was  formerly  pas- 
tor of  a  church  in  Shippensburg,  Pennsylvania, 
and  chaplain  of  the  49th  Pennsylvania  volunteers. 
Entering  the  army  on  the  16th  of  April,  1861,  he 
continued  in  active  service  in  the  field  throughout 
the  entire  war,  and  to  its  successful  termination. 
He  is  and  has  ever  been  an  active  and  earnest 
worker  in  everything  appertaining  to  the  soldier 
and  tending  to  promote  his  happiness  and  wel- 
fare. In  the  language  of  a  late  visitor  to  the 
Home,  "Chaplain  Earns-haw  even  now  looks 
more  like  a  warrior  than  a  minister,  though  he 
certainly  fills  the  latter  capacity  admirably." 

Morning  and  evening  services  are  held  in  the 
church  each  Sunday,  and  in  the  hospital  build- 
ing every  Sunday  afternoon.  To  instruct,  im- 


DISABLED  VOLUNTEER  SOLDIEES.       73 

prove,  and  purify  the  mind  of  so  varied  a  con- 
gregation his  eloquent  discourses^are  free  from  the 
tone  of  sect  or  party.  The  pure  and  simple  truths 
of  religion,  based  upon  the  divine  teachings  and 
readings,  are  earnestly  and  zealously  imparted ; 
and  it  may  with  truth  be  said  that  all  and  every 
one  might  take  part  in  the  services  and  not  fail 
in  receiving  benefit  thereby.  Weekly  prayer- 
meetings  are  held  and  form  pleasant  reunion 
with  a  considerable  number  of  the  inmates.  Sab- 
bath-school, under  the  direction  of  Lewis  J.Jones, 
superintendent,  is  also  held  in  the  morning,  and  is 
well  attended.  Persons  not  residents  of  the  Home 
frequently  attend  the  morning  service.  Large 
ministerial  bodies  and  Sabbath-schools  frequently 
visit  the  Home,  and  interesting  exercises  are  held 
in  the  church.  On  a  late  occasion  Bishop  Simp- 
son addressed  the  veterans  in  a  few  appropriate 
remarks  which  were  greeted  with  applause.  He 
expressed  gratification  at  seeing  the  bountiful  pro- 
vision made  by  the  government  for  the  veterans, 
not  as  an  act  of  charity,  but  as  one  of  gratitude 
for  services  rendered  and  sacrifices  made  in  de- 
fense of  the  nation.  He  related  an  interview  with 
Secretary  Stanton,  upon  whom  he  called  in  the 
darkest  hours  of  the  war,  and  when  he  was  about 
to  leave,  Mr.  Stanton  asked  him  to  pray  with  him. 
The  secretary,  though  not  a  member  of  the  church, 


74  THE   NATIONAL   HOME   FOR 

had  trust  in  God  and  faith  in  the  power  of  prayer. 
At  Mr.  Stanton's  request  the  bishop  had  not  re- 
lated the  circumstance  until  since  Mr.  S.'s  death. 
The  Catholics  also  hold  services  in  the  church 
semi-monthly,  on  Thursday  mornings.  The  Rev. 
Messrs.  W.  Carey  and  Charles  Hahne/priestsfrom 
Dayton,  officiate.  These  services  are  largely  at- 
tended by  the  men  of  that  faith,  and  are  greatly 
appreciated  by  them.  On  these  occasions  the 
Catholic  altar  is  placed  where  the  pulpit  usually 
stands.  Rev.  Richard  Gilmore,  now  bishop  of 
Cleveland,  formerly  officiated  here.  No  other  in- 
stance of  the  kind  can  be  found,  in  this  or  in  any 
other  country,  where  Protestants  and  Catholics 
worship  in  harmony  in  the  same  church.  And  why 
not?  seeing  we  worship  the  same  God,  believe  in 
the  same  Christ,  and  strive  for  the  same  heaven 

THE  HOSPITAL  BUILDING. 

The  opening  of  the  new  hospital  building  was 
a  great  day  at  the  National  Home.  Governor 
Hayes  of  Ohio,  Governor  Baker  of  Indiana, 
General  R.  C.  Schenck,  General  August  Wil- 
lich,  General  T.  J.  Wood,  Dr.  Erastus  B.  "Wolcott 
of  Milwaukee,  of  the  Board  of  Managers,  Rev. 
W.  H.  Thomas  of  Brooklyn,  and  other  invited 
guests,  left  the  city  of  Dayton  in  carriages  at  nine 
o'clock.  On  reaching  the  grounds  a  salute  was 


DISABLED    VOLUNTEER   SOLDIERS.  75 

fired  from  a  section  of  artillery.  The  Home  Band 
met  the  procession  at  the  porter's  lodge,  and  all 
were  conducted  to  the  officers'  head-quarters  by  an 
officer,  the  soldiers  cheering  as  the  visitors  ap- 
proached. Here  they  were  cordially  received  and 
welcomed  by  Colonel  E.  F.  Brown,  governor,  and 
other  officers.  Though  the  hour  was  compara- 
tively early,  large  numbers  from  Dayton  and  the 
surrounding  country,  besides  a  few  from  abroad, 
had  gathered  upon  the  grounds.  The  fire 'com- 
pany was  out  with  their  engine  in  holiday  attire. 
Tents  were  pitched  irregularly  on  the  grounds. 
The  soldiers  of  the  Home  were  out  in  their  best 
"  bib  and  tucker."  The  morning  was  bright  and 
beautiful.  Everything  about  the  place  looked 
fresh  and  pleasing,  and  the  landscape  was  glorious. 
The  hospital  building  is  almost  immediately 
north  of  the  barracks  on  an  open  ground,  a  little 
declining  from  the  latter.  The  position,  though 
somewhat  lower,  is  conspicuous  and  convenient. 
Manager  G-unckel  has  not  fallen  into  the  error  of 
hiding  the  hospital  in  some  obscure  place.  It  is 
the  prominent  object.  Approaching  the  building 
from  the  main  entrance,  it  stands  the  first  impor- 
tant edifice  of  the  Home.  It  is  a  beautiful  brick 
building  of  three  stories.  The  main  front  is  two 
hundred  and  ninety-three  feet  in  length,  but  is 
broke  by  a  center  forty  feet  wide,  with  wings  on 


76  THE  NATIONAL    HOME   FOE 

either  side  that  comprise  the  remainder  of  the 
front. 

Large  single  windows  light  the  first  and  sec- 
ond stories  of  the  building,  while  the  third  story 
has  dual  windows  that  relieve  the  front  and  add 
much  to  the  beauty  of  the  structure.  Four  feet 
of  the  basement  walls,,  which  are  of  blue  lime- 
stone, can  be  seen  above  the  grade  line.  This  is 
rock-faced  ashlar-wark,  capped  with  a  course  of 
Dayton  limestone,  upon  which  the  brick  super- 
structure rests.  The  towers  rise  from  either  end 
of  the  edifice.  These  are  each  twelve  feet  square, 
their  diagonals  being  placed  on  a  line  with  the  side 
and  end  walls  of  the  wings  which  represent  the 
wards.  These  towers  are  one  story  higher  than 
the  building,  and  terminate  in  ornamented  roof 
and;  pinnacles.  Besides  adding  greatly  to  the 
appearance  of  the  building  they  also  serve  a  val- 
uable purpose  in  connection  with  the  wards,  to 
which  allusion  will  be  made  hereafter.  The  cen- 
ter of  the  building  projects  from  the  wings  twelve 
feet.  This  projection  in  turn  has  a  front  projec- 
tion three  feet  deep  and  four  feet  wide.  The  lat- 
ter is  carried  up  from  the  foundation  to  the  top 
of  the  building  in  the  form  of  a  tower,  and  ter- 
minates in  an  ornamented  observatory  that  is  the 
most  elevated  and  central  figure  of  the  edifice,  the 
dome  being  one  hundred  feet  from  the  base. 


DISABLED    VOLUNTEER  SOLDIERS.  77 

Midway  between  the  center  and  the  lateral  tow- 
ers, at  either  end,  the  wings  are  broken  by  an- 
other projection  which  presents  three  faces,  and 
forms  in  each  ward  a  bay  window  out  of  which 
three  windows  look  upon  the  beautiful  grounds. 
These  are  carried  above  the  building  and  termi- 
nate in  octagonal  towers  of  one  story,  each  face 
of  the  octagon  being  pierced  with  a  window.  The 
lateral  towers,  or  those  at  the  ends  of  the  wards, 
have  a  flaring  projection  of  eight  feet  six  inches, 
and  the  face  striking  the  lines  of  the  front  and 
ends  diagonally,  present  an  appearance  both  novel 
and  pleasing.  The  immense  structure  is  thus  re- 
lieved in  front  by  five  projections,  and  the  whole 
surmounted  by  seven  towers,  from  any  of  which 
splendid  views  of  the  grounds  and  surrounding 
country  can  be  obtained.  Embracing  the  front 
of  the  center  is  a  massive  porch  forty-one  feet 
long  by  ten  feet  wide,  surrounded  by  an  orna- 
mented balustrade.  This  is  approached  by  a 
flight  of  molded  and  returned  steps  of  Dayton 
limestone,  and  the  whole  constitutes  the  main  en- 
trance to  the  building.  The  window  and  door- 
sills  are  of  Dayton  stone,  while  the  caps,  cornices, 
tower,  balustrades,  and  pinnacles  are  of  galvanized 
iron,  painted  and  sanded  in  imitation  of  stone. 
The  roof  is  slate,  tastefully  ornamented. 

So  much  for  the  exterior  of  the  building,  which 


78  THE  NATIONAL    HOME   FOR 

is  massive  without  being  cold  and  varied  without 
in  the  least  shocking  the  plainest  taste. 

THE  INTERIOR. 

But  after  all,  however  beautiful  and  necessary 
may  be  architectural  design  and  external  beauty, 
it  is  the  interior  arrangements  and  appointments 
that  give  this  its  chief  value.  You  enter  the  cen- 
ter of  the  building  through  a  great  door,  six  feet 
six  inches  by  eleven  feet,  with  elliptic  head.  The 
casings,  jams,  carved  trusses,  and  cornice  are  paint- 
ed and  sanded  to  imitate  stone.  The  storm  door, 
inner  door,  and  vestibule  are  of  native  white  wal- 
nut of  rare  beauty.  Passing  these  you  are  in  the 
administrative  part  of  the  building,  which  embraces 
the  whole  of  the  center,  and  has  a  front  of  forty- 
four  feet  and  extends  back  one  hundred  and  thirty- 
one  feet.  You  stand  in  a  hall  nine  feet  wide, 
flanked  by  a  reception-room  on  the  right  twenty- 
one  by  fourteen  feet  six  inches  and  on  the  left  by 
the  surgeon's  office,  a  room  of  the  same  dimen- 
sions as  the  former.  Passing  these,  which  are  ap- 
propriately furnished,  you  reach  a  hall  eight  feet 
in  width,  running  parallel  with  the  building. 
Looking  now  to  the  north  or  south  you  behold  a 
beautiful  architectural  picture.  Through  the  open 
doors  the  wards,  with  their  pure  white  walls  and 
party-colored  wainscoting,  are  half  revealed.  A 


DISABLED   VOLUNTEER  SOLDIERS.  79 

long  line  of  Corinthian  columns,  supporting  the 
ceiling,  stretch  out  the  full  length  of  the  wards. 
Neat  cots,  with  their  spotless  coverings,  are  ar- 
ranged with  the  regularity  of  men  in  battle. 
Everywhere  there  is  something  suggestive  of  com- 
fort. Each  wing  has  a  ward  on  each  floor,  mak- 
ing six  wards  in  all.  The  latter  are  one  hundred 
and  fourteen  feet  six  inches  long  by  twenty-eight 
feet  wide.  The  ceiling  is  thirteen  feet  from 
the  floor.  The  walls  are  wainscoted  three  feet 
two  inches  from  the  floor,  with  ash  and  black 
walnut  alternated,  while  above  they  are  plastered 
and  present  a  plain  white  surface.  Through 
the  center  of  each  ward  a  row  of  Corinthian  col- 
umns, painted  green,  and  bronzed,  support  the 
ceiling  and  floor  above,  and  very  much  improve 
the  general  appearance.  Allusion  has  already 
been  made  to  the  bay  window  in  each,  and  to  the 
two  towers  at  the  end.  These  towers  are  all  in 
direct  communication  with  the  wards.  They  fur- 
nish appartments  for  bath-rooms,  water-closets, 
urinals,  etc.;  and  while  they  are  so  arranged  as 
to  be  entirely  disconnected  with  the  wards,  they 
are  so  constructed  as  to  permit  the  best  ventila- 
tion possible.  Each  ward  in  the  administrative 
part  of  the  building  has  an  apartment  set  apart  for 
the  wash-room.  The  wards  of  the  second  and 
third  floors  are  of  the  same  dimensions  as  the  one 


80  THE    NATIONAL   HOME   FOR 

described,  and  similarly  furnished.  Each  is  sup- 
plied with  dust  and  linen  drops,  extending  from 
the  floor  to  the  basement.  They  are  well  lighted 
and  ventilated  according  to  the  most  improved 
plans.  Attached  to  each  ward,  but  located  in 
the  administrative  part  of  the  building,  are  rooms 
for  library  and  attendants.  A  large  elevator  is 
provided  upon  which  the  sick  may  be  laid  and 
carried  by  steam  from  the  basement  to  the  floors 
above.  The  main  stairway  is  in  the  center  of  the 
building;  and  in  addition,  each  wing  is  supplied 
with  a  staircase  extending  from  cellar  to  attic, 
affording  ample  facilities  for  egress  in  case  of  an 
extraordinary  emergency.  Each  floor  is  supplied 
with  a  dining-room,  located  in  the  rear  of  the 
center  of  the  building.  These  rooms  are  forty- 
one  feet  by  thirty-one  feet  six  inches,  and  are 
cheerful,  beautiful  apartments.  They  have  capa- 
cious pantries  and  sitting-rooms,  and  besides,  they 
communicate  with  the  kitchen  by  dumb-waiters. 
The  doors  generally  throughout  the  building  are 
of  choice  white  walnut;  and  the  uniform  wain- 
scoting of  the  wards,  halls,  and  dining-rooms  in 
alternate  pieces  of  light  and  dark  wood  produces 
a  very  pleasing  effect. 

THE  BASEMENT 

Contains  a  kitchen,  scullery,  bakehouse,  and  din- 
ing-room; also  the  necessary  workrooms,  apart- 


THE  SOLDIERS'  MONUMENT. 


DISABLED  VOLUNTEER  SOLDIERS.       81 

ments  for  the  help,  and  operating-room,  and  appa- 
ratus for  heating  the  building;  and  in  the  extreme 
north  end  is  a  mortuary  apartment.  The  inner 
walls  are  hollow,  to  guard  against  external  damp- 
ness ;  and  while  the  whole  building  is  heated  by 
steam  passing  through  coiled  pipes  in  the  base- 
ment, the  wards  and  other  rooms  are  supplied 
with  grates  for  open  fires.  Nothing  appears  to 
have  been  omitted  that  would  contribute  to  the 
comfort  or  safety  of  the  patients.  The  beds  are 
single  iron  cots,  covered  with  superb  hair  mat- 
trasses  almost  as  soft  as  down,  and  far  more 
healthful.  The  sheets  are  linen  and  the  blankets 
of  fine  wool.  Each  cot  is  covered  with  a  white 
counterpane.  This  whole  department  is  in  such 
admirable  order  that  an  inspection  speaks  more 
for  the  efficiency  and  ability  of  the  matron,  Mrs. 
E.  L.  Miller,  to  whom  this  is  confided,  than  any 
word  of  commendation  that  could  be  printed. 
Wherever  her  work  is  visible  there  is  neatness, 
cleanliness,  and  tastefulness.  Others  may  occupy 
places  of  more  distinction,  but  the  sick  soldier 
will  readily  testify  that  no  one  contributes  more 
to  his  comfort. 

In  order  to  guard  against  fire  and  the  effects  ol 
boiler  explosions  a  brick  building,  twenty-five  feet 
by  one  hundred  and  ten  feet,  has  been  erected  two 
hundred  feet  from  the  main  building.  This  con- 


82  THE   NATIONAL   HOME   FOR 

tains  the  steam  boilers  and  is  the  fuel  receptacle. 
It  connects  with  the  hospital  by  a  tunnel  over 
seven  feet  square,  in  which  are  the  steam  and 
water  pipes,  besides  a  small  railway  for  transport- 
ing coal. 

WHO  HAVE  DONE  THE  WORK. 

The  work  has  been  done  by  the  following  per- 
sons: Stone-masonry,  Felix  Gieger;  brick-ma- 
sonry, Hiram  Bosler ;  galvanized  iron  and  slating, 
W.  F.  Gebhart;  heating,  Brooks  &  Light;  gas- 
fitting,  R.  Ogden— all  of  Dayton,  Ohio.  The 
plumbing  was  done  by  J.  &  J.  Gibson,  of  Cin- 
cinnati. 

The  entire  glazing,  painting,  varnishing,  bronz- 
ing, and  sanding  were  done  by  the  day,  under 
the  superintendency  of  Mr.  Win.  Thompson,  a 
veteran  who  resides  at  this  Home. 

The  carpenter- work  and  plastering  were  also 
done  by  the  day,  under  the  superintendency  of 
Mr.  A.  McHose,  prior  to  his  resignation.  The 
great  bulk  of  the  work  was  superintended  jointly 
by  Mr.  McHose  and  the  architect,  C.  B.  Davies ; 
since  the  resignation  of  the  former,  by  the  ar- 
chitect and  Captain  George  Beard,  late  foreman, 
but  now  assistant  superintendent  and  purchasing 
agent. 

The  designs  and  plans  -of  the  building  were 


' 

X''VV/ 

DISABLED   VOLUNTEER   SOLDIERS.  83 

made  by  Mr.  C.  B.  Davies,  and  the  whole  was 
erected  and  finished  under  his  superintendency; 
and  to  him  especially  belongs  whatever  of  credit 
the  public  deem  due  for  the  building  as  it  now 
stands.  This  elegant  and  well-arranged  building, 
acknowledged  to  be  the  best  constructed  and  best 
adapted  hospital  in  America,  cost  $185,000,  and  is 
designed  to  accommodate  three  hundred  persons. 

For  that  unfortunate  class  of  patients  who  have 
lost  the  light  of  reason,  frame  buildings  have  been 
erected  contiguous  to  the  hospital ;  but  with  the 
continuing  and  growing  improvements  of  the 
Home,  it  is  in  contemplation  to  erect  a  hand- 
some and  commodious  brick  building  correspond- 
ing with  the  hospital,  which,  when  completed, 
will  afford  every  comfort  and  convenience  for  the 
requirement  of  those  patients.  Drs.  McDermont 
and  Dunlap  have  had  the  care  of  the  sick;  and  it 
is  needless  to  say  that  everything  that  the  best 
medical  knowledge,  skill,  and  attention  could 
avail  has  been  given  to  them.  Dr.  McDermont, 
who  has  recently  resigned  on  account  of  ill  health, 
has  been  succeeded  by  Dr.  James  M.  Weaver. 

The  residence  of  the  surgeon-in-chief  is  only 
a  short  distance  from  the  hospital,  and  the  Ass't. 
surgeon  has  a  residence  in  the  main  building. 

Sympathy  for  the  returned  soldier,  and  a  dispo- 
sition to  alleviate  his  present  condition,  has  been 


84  THE  NATIONAL  HOME  FOR 

evinced  by  the  rich  gift  of  a  very  handsome  car- 
riage and  pair  of  horses,  for  the  purpose  of  enabling 
hospital  patients  from  time  to  time  to  enjoy  drives 
in  the  neighborhood.  This  noble  gift  was  made 
to  the  Home  by  the  ladies  of  the  North  Ohio 
Soldiers7  Aid  Society,  represented  by  Mrs.B.  Rouse 
president,  Miss  Mary  C.  Brayton  secretary,  and 
Miss  E.  Terry  treasurer,  of  Cleveland,  Ohio.  The 
total  expenditures  for  hospital  supplies  for  the 
year  1874  amounted  to  $13,410.32. 

GARDEN  AND  CONSERVATORY. 

After  a  gentle  walk  from  the  hospital,  and  pass- 
ing through  a  handsomely  decorated  arch,  we  en- 
ter a  lovely  dell  where  the  art  of  the  florist  and 
botanist  have  been  brought  into  requisition, — a 
landscape  garden,  with  nature's  choicest  flowers 
of  beauty  and  fragrance  to  delight  the  eye  and 
charm  the  senses, — the  conservatory  and  green- 
house, with  plants  from  the  tropics  and  trees 
bearing  their  delicious  fruits.  Creeping  vines  adorn 
the  rock-work,  and  rustic  seats  are  conveniently 
placed  for  rest  and  pleasure.  Three  mineral 
springs  are  converted  into  drinking- fountains ; 
and  it  is  not  too  much  to  say  that  nature  and  art 
combined  have  succeeded  in  creating  a  little  par- 
adise of  beauty  and  grace. 

An  inmate  has  charge  of  the  conservatory;  and 


DISABLED   VOLUNTEER   SOLDIERS.  85 

the  pleasing  occupation  of  cultivation  of  the  plants 
and  flowers  is  performed  by  inmates,  which,  in  ad- 
dition to  the  enlivening  beauty  of  the  flowers,  is  a 
very  successful  one  as  a  source  of  profit,  choice 
bouquets  and  collections  of  flowers  being  eagerly 
sought  for  by  visitors  and  the  citizens  of  Dayton. 
On  the  edge  of  the  garden  are  rustic  summer- 
houses.  On  the  surface  of  the  lake  of  considerable 
extent  the  graceful  swan  may  be  seen  majestically 
sailing ;  and  parties  in  pleasure-boats,  provided  for 
the  purpose,  are  gayly  plying  the  oar.  Mr.  Frank 
Mundt,  the  florist  and  gardener,  began  his  career 
in  Germany  under  the  instruction  of  his  father, 
who  was  a  florist  as  well  as  landscape  and  archi- 
tectural gardener  under  the  grand  duke  of  Meck- 
lenburg-Schwerin.  In  1868  the  grounds  presented 
but  few  romantic  features,  and  to  the  experienced 
eye  of  Mr.  Mundt  offered  a  prospect  far  from  en- 
couraging. As  one  of  the  early  inmates  of  the 
Home,  he  set  to  work  with  a  zeal  and  energy 
truly  commendable.  He  vigorously  sought  ma- 
terial from  the  surrounding  country,  and  collect- 
ing together  all  the  vines  and  wild  flowers  he 
could  find,  he  planted  them  promiscuously  in  the 
crevices  of  rocks  and  upon  the  hill-sides.  They 
took  root  quickly,  imparting  to  the  uncultivated 
grounds  a  delightfully  romantic  appearance.  His 
almost  magical  transformation  excited  the  wonder 


86  THE   NATIONAL   HOME    FOR 

and  admiration  of  every  beholder,  and  thousands 
who  were  attracted  to  the  spot  expressed  their 
gratification  in  enthusiastic  terms.  Here  flowers 
have  since  continued  to  multiply  and  replenish 
the  Home  grounds.  Mr.  Mundt's  next  step  was 
to  construct  a  temporary  greenhouse,  to  enable 
him  to  cultivate  such  flowers  as  he  could  find  in 
the  vicinity  or  that  might  be  contributed.  In  this 
laudable  effort  he  was  greatly  aided  by  the  active 
exertions  of  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Kohrer  of  German- 
town,  Ohio,  who  contributed  a  large  number  of 
plants,  and  manifested  her  great  interest  in  the 
new  enterprise  by  increasing  her  contributions  as 
occasion  required.  Too  much  praise  can  not  be 
accorded  to  this  estimable  lady  who  has  aided  so 
largely  in  adding  to  the  beauty  and  adornment  of 
the  Home.  At  this  time  Mr.  Mundt  was  acting 
as  vegetable  gardener,  and  the  rough  old  green- 
house which  he  erected  is  still  preserved  as  a  land- 
mark. A  practical  turn  was  now  given  to  the 
affair  by  the  Board  of  Managers,  and  extensive 
arrangements  were  made  to  bring  order  out  of 
chaos.  Mr.  Davies,  the  architect,  was  selected  to 
lay  out  the  garden  in  walks,  promenades,  and 
flower-beds,  and  Mr.  Mundt,  who  was  appointed 
florist,  assisted  by  the  labor  of  the  inmates,  actively 
carried  out  the  work  under  the  eye  of  Colonel 
E.  F.  Brown,  who  by  no  means  allowed  the  work 


DISABLED  VOLUNTEER   SOLDIERS.  87 

to  slacken  until  the  bright  anticipation  of  the 
Board  of  Managers  was  fully  realized.  Major- 
general  John  H.  Martindale,  one  of  the  Board  of 
Managers,  manifested  the  liveliest  interest  in  the 
work,  and  as  a  tribute  to  his  interest  in  the  enter- 
prise the  magnificent  conservatory  ornamenting 
the  garden  was  named  in  his  honor.  Before  en- 
tering the  conservatory  the  visitors  may  obtain  a 
refreshing  draught  from  the  spring,  the  natural 
formation  of  which  has  elicited  the  admiration  of 
thousands  of  persons  who  have  visited  the  Home. 
Creeping  vines  and  begonia  leaves  hang  in  grace- 
ful clusters  on  the  rocks  above  the  basin  into 
which  the  sparkling  element  is  constantly  flowing. 
Standing  upon  the  left  side  of  the  basin  a  glimpse 
may  be  obtained  of  a  natural  gr@tto,  formed  of 
rocks  in  layers  so  even  and  regular  in  their  ar- 
rangement as  to  convey  the  impression  that  they 
had  been  laid  by  the  hand  of  maa.  Looking  far 
beneath  this  beautiful  formation  is  a  spring  of 
great  depth,  and  which  in  its  perennial  course 
flows  steadily  into  the  basin.  At  a  short  distance 
from  it  is  a  chalybeate  spring  possessing  rare 
medicinal  properties.  It  is  of  great  depth  and 
inexhaustible  in  its  supplies.  Passing  through 
beautiful  winding  walks  and  ascending  and  de- 
scending by  several  stone  flights  we  reach  the 


88  THE    NATIONAL   HOME   FOR 

„      AVIARY. 

This  is  a  neat  structure  of  octagon  form,  and  is 
the  abode  of  several  hundred  of  God's  little  song- 
sters. Nearly  all  of  these  birds  are  natives  of  the 
Home.  At  all  times  their  united  singing  pro- 
duces a  melody  of  sound  in  song  and  chorus  not 
often  enjoyed  by  the  lovers  of  nature's  music. 
Those  who  would  wish  to  enjoy  a  first-class  con- 
cert should  not  neglect  to  visit  the  aviary.  The 
groves  of  the  Home  abound  in  many  fine  speci- 
mens of  the  feathered  race,  consisting  of  canaries, 
mocking-birds,  robins,  woodpeckers,  etc.,  many  of 
them  of  rare  beauty.  In  the  aviary  are  some 
fine  specimens  of  German  singers.  The  rivalry 
tetween  the  American  and  German  singers  con- 
sists in  the  one  excelling  for  beauty  of  plumage 
and  the  other  for  superiority  of  vocal  power. 
Thus  it  seems  that  the  reputation  which  has  been 
accorded  to  Germany  as  the  land  of  song  is  sus- 
tained by  the  birds  of  the  air.  Near  the  aviary  is 
a  pagoda,  which  overlooks 

THE  LAKE. 

From  this  point  may  be  obtained  an  open  view 
of  the  lake,  garden,  and  conservatory,  with  ail 
their  attractive  surroundings.  The  view  may  be 
enjoyed  quietly  seated  upon  a  bench,  or  in  a  pleas- 
ant patent  swinging-chair  suspended  from  the 


DISABLED   VOLUNTEER   SOLDIERS.  89 

center  of  the  roof.  The  waters  of  the  lakes  swarm 
with  fishes,  while  upon  the  surface  noble  specimens 
of  American  and  European  swans,  Muscovy  ducks, 
wild  geese  and  wild  ducks,  and  other  fowls  are 
gracefully  gliding.  A  heavy  gun  mounted  upon 
a  pile  of  rough  stones  in  the  center  of  the  lake  and 
a  miniature  floating  light-house  all  form  a  pretty 
and  inspiriting  picture.  Descending  a  single  flight 
of  steps  we  are  surrounded  by  lovely 
FLOWER-GARDENS. 

These  are  laid  out  in  the  most  tasteful  and  ar- 
tistic manner,  their  effect  being  greatly  heightened 
by  a  rudely-constructed  fountain  and  fish-pond, 
containing  gold  fish,  and  other  specimens  of  the 
finny  tribes.  It  would  be  utterly  impossible  to  at- 
tempt, within  the  prescribed  limits  of  these  pages, 
anything  like  a  description  of  the  magnificent 
beauty  of  the  flower-beds.  It  must  therefore 
suffice  to  say  that  they  contain  the  choicest  flowers, 
and  the  richest  and  rarest  to  be  found  anywhere. 
Near  the  flower-beds  are  large  wire  cages  contain- 
ing eagles,  owls,  and  other  birds.  There  is  also 
a  small  pond  containing  alligators,  the  gift  of  Mr. 
A.  L.  Eoss  of  the  Merchants'  Hotel,  Dayton, 
THE  MARTINDALE  CONSERVATORY. 

This  attractive  conservatory  is  constructed  in 
strict  accordance  with  the  best  known  principles 


90  THE  NATIONAL  HOME  FOR 

of  garden  architecture.  It  is  the  finest  example 
of  a  tropical  conservatory,  while  the  plants  are  in 
excellent  condition,  reflecting  the  highest  credit 
upon  the  head  gardener  and  florist,  Mr.  Mundt. 
The  fine  palms  and  musas  give  it  a  splendid  trop- 
ical effect,  and  the  beauties  of  all  are  considerably 
enhanced  by  the  elevated  walks  on  the  exterior, 
which  enables  the  visitor  to  inspect  the  plants 
above  and  below.  We  name  among  the  beautiful 
collection 

THE  ALOCASIA. 

This  is  a  plant  of  great  beauty,  with  large  leaves, 
the  upper  part  of  the  leaves  spreading  out ;  the 
rich  metallic  luster,  upper  and  under  sides ;  and 
yet  it  is  abundantly  distinct.  It  obtains  the 
height  of  four  feet.  It  is  a  highly  ornamental 
plant,  and  has  many  attractions.  A  fine  spec- 
imen of  the  alocasia  from  this  conservatory  was 
recently  conceded  a  premium  at  the  Southern 
Ohio  Fair. 

ARALIA  PAPHYFIRIFEARA. 

This  fine  plant  is  six  feet  in  height,  and  is  all 
times  a  noble  plant.  But  when  in  bloom,  its  beauty 
is  greatly  enhanced ;  for  although  the  individual 
flowers  are  unattractive,  yet  as  they  are  arranged  in 
drooping  pannicles  some  two  or  three  feet  long, 
the  whole  presents  a  fine  appearance.  From  the 


DISABLED   VOLUNTEER   SOLDIERS.  91 

pith  of  this  plant,  which  is  very  white,  the  beau- 
tiful rice-paper  of  the  Chinese  is  made. 

THE  AGAVE  AMERICANA,  OR  CENTURY  PLANT. 

This  plant  and  its  varieties,  American  aloes  as 
they  are  popularly  called,  are  many  of  them  fa- 
miliar plants,  and  have  the  character  of  blooming 
once  in  a  hundred  years.  This  seems  extraordi- 
nary, but  is  to  some  extent  true,  for  they  attain 
maturity  very  slowly ;  but  when  this  condition  is 
reached  the  plant  sends  up  a  flower-spike,  and 
this  perfecting  dies,  on  account  of  the  flower  stem 
being  the  terminal  bud,  and  from  its  great  size 
completely  exhausting  the  plant.  It  would  there- 
fore be  equally  true  to  assert  that  they  bloom 
only  once  in  a  thousand  years.  But  to  imagine 
that  they  require  to  grow  a  hundred  years  before 
blooming  is  certainly  fallacious,  although  they  are 
no  doubt  many  years  arriving  at  a  flowering  state. 

CYCAS  REVOLUTA. 

This  plant  is  originally  from  China  and  Japan, 
but  has  been  introduced  into  Cuba  and  various 
other  islands.  It  is  now  even  more  plentiful  in 
the  home  of  its  adoption  than  in  its  own  country. 
It  produces  a  beautiful  crown  of  pinnate,  dark 
green  leaves,  from  two  to  six  feet  long.  In  Sax- 
ony its  leaves  are  extensively  used  at  tunerals  as 
emblems  of  immortality.  Two  other  beautiful 


92  THE  NATIONAL  HOME   FOR 

palms,  the  date  and  the  chocolate,  adorn  the  con- 
servatory. 

THE  CACTUS  AQUAFOLIA 

Is  a  native  of  Mexico.  It  is  twenty-one  feet  in 
height,  with  spreading  branches  bearing  prickly 
pear,  from  which  whisky  is  distilled  by  the  natives 
of  Mexico. 

CACTUS  SERPENTINA 

Derives  its  name  from  its  serpent-like  appearance. 
It  is  twenty-two  feet  in  height.  This  fine  spec- 
imen received  a  premium  at  the  late  Southern 
Ohio  Fair. 

EUCHORIS    GRANDIFLORA,    OR   NIGHT-BLOOMING 
CEREUS. 

This  is  a  plant  to  which  any  description  would 
fail  to  do  justice.  It  is  frequently  expanded  at 
Christmas  with  thirty  or  forty  spikes  of  its  lovely 
queen  white  flowers. 

Leaving  the  conservatory,  the  visitor  soon  ar- 
rives at  several  beautiful  artificial  lakes.  In  the 
center  of  one  of  them  is  a  lovely 

MINIATURE  ISLAND 

"Which  forms  a  truly  romantic  picture.  It  is  bor- 
dered with  rough  stone,  while  its  rich  green  foliage 
and  drooping  willows  excite  the  admiration  rf  the 
beholder.  The  island  is  inhabited  by  duck:*  and 


DISABLED   VOLUNTEER   SOLDIERS.  93 

other  fowls  who  bask  in  the  sunshine  of  delight 
on  their  little  island  home.  Numerous  rustic 
bridges  crossing  and  re-crossing  the  lake  enhance 
the  beauty  of  the  same,  while 

SHADY  GROVES 

Claim  the  eye  on  every  Side.  The  largest  and 
handsomest  of  these  groves  is  abundantly  supplied 
with  comfortable  seats.  During  the  summer  sea- 
son the  inmates  go  there  to  enjoy  their  siesta. 
Some  indulge  in  a  peaceful  slumber,  while  others, 
with  books  in  hand,  may  be  found  seated  beneath 
the  branches  of  an  umbrageous  oak,  and,  while 
the  little  songsters  make  sweet  melody  from  above, 
draw  largely  from  the  fountain  of  knowledge.  In 
the  immediate  vicinity  are  the  ice-houses,  and  the 
pump-house  by  which  the  water  from  the  lakes  is 
forced  by  a  steam-pump  into  the  work-houses  at- 
tached to  the  barracks.  This  water  is  used  only 
for  washing  purposes,  the  springs  and  wells  af- 
fording ample  supplies  for  all  other  purposes. 

THE  DEER-PARK. 

Here  are  to  be  seen  from  fifty  to  sixty  deer,  sev- 
eral of  which  were  sent  from  Lookout  Mountain. 
They  are  attended  by  an  old  soldier  who  was  once 
deer-keeper  for  the  king  of  Prussia.  They  have 
been  so  domesticated  that  they  are  quite  tame, 


94  THE  NATIONAL   HOME   FOR 

and  instead  of  running  away  will  bound  forward 
and  allow  themselves  to  be  patted,  and  turn  their 
great  wandering  eyes  idly  upon  any  who  may 
notice  them.  Some  fine  specimens  of  elk  are  also 
to  be  seen  here. 

THE  MENAGERIE, 

Though  not  extensive,  jp  well  worthy  of  attention. 
It  contains  the  great  bear  of  the  Rocky  Mount- 
ains and  two  smaller  bears,  which  have  been 
taught  by  their  keeper  (formerly  a  wild-beast- 
tamer  in  a  menagerie)  to  perform  many  laughable 
antics.  There  is  also  a  wolf,  cunning  foxes,  and 
any  number  of  sly  old  coons.  In  a  small  inclosure 
is  an  interesting  family  of  English  rabbits,  pig- 
eons, and  antelopes — two  does  and  one  buck,  2s"ot 
far  from  the  menagerie  is  a  fine 

STONE-QUARRY 

Containing  an  almost  inexhaustible  supply  of 
stone,  which  has  been  and  is  still  largely  used  in 
the  construction-work  of  the  Home.  Near  the 
quarry  is  a  spring  of  delicious  and  wholesome 
water ;  also  a  magazine.  Adjoining  the  quarry  is 
a  strong  inclosure  containing  two  buffaloes. 

A  large  grove  is  now  reached  in  which  are  the 
quoit  and  croquet  grounds. 

OFFICERS'  RESIDENCES. 

The  residence  of  the  governor  is  a  frame  man- 


DISABLED   VOLUNTEER   SOLDIERS.  95 

eion-house  built  in  a  unique  design  of  architect- 
ure, surrounded  with  ornamental  walks,  and  a 
similar  structure  stands  not  far  from  it.  Between 
the  two  is 

AMUSEMENT  HALL, 

Containing  billiard-tables,  bagatelle-tables,  and  a 
bowling-alley.  In  the  upper  portion  of  the  building 
are  the  quarters  of  the  band,  with  a  room  for  study 
and  practice.  The  band  is  composed  wholly  of 
disabled  soldiers,  and  is  under  the  direction  of 
Edward  Pohlmeyer. 

MUSIC  HALL 

Is  a  room  in  which  all  of  the  public  exercises  of 
the  institution  are  held,  and  will  accommodate 
about  eight  hundred  persons.  Neatly  frescoed  on 
the  ceiling  are  symbols  and  mottoes,  suggestive  of 
the  great  contest  in  which  we  were  engaged.  That 
next  to  the  stage  has  the  names  of  Washington  and 
Lincoln.  Another  represents  two  hands  clasped, 
and  the  words,  "  The  Constitution  and  the  Union." 
The  stage,  which  is  neatly  finished  with  drapery 
and  a  drop-curtain,  has  upon  either  side  of  the 
proscenium  representations  of  war  emblems,  with 
the  words,  "Our  friends  in  need  and  our  friends 
indeed,"  while  the  scene  in  the  rear  has  for  its 
center  the  coat  of  arms  of  the  institution ;  that 
of  the  Goddess  of  Liberty  presenting  a  cup  of 


96  THE   NATIONAL   HOME  FOR 

water  to  a  soldier  who  has  lost  a  limb  in  the 
service,  with  the  motto  suggested  by  Secretary 
Stanton.  On  either  side  are  the  emblems  ot 
peace.  The  entire  front  of  the  stage  is  adorned 
with  flowers,  presenting  a  spectacle  of  much 
beauty,  which  is  one  of  the  most  suggestive  feat- 
ures of  the  hall.  Over  each  of  the  score  of  win- 
dows and  doors  is  the  name  of  some  great  battle 
of  the  war.  There  is  Shiloh,  Spottsylvania,  Get- 
tysburg, Chickamauga,  Kennesaw  Mountain,  Fred- 
ricksburg,  JN"ew  Orleans,  and  others.  During  the 
winter  varied  entertainments  are  given,  such  as 
vocal  and  instrumental  concerts,  performances 
ventriloquial  and  magic,  the  delivery  of  lectures 
by  distinguished  lecturers,  performances  by  the 
Home  minstrel  troupe,  dramatic  performances, 
etc.  The  musical  clubs  and  choirs  from  the  city 
and  neighborhood  make  frequent  visits  and  vol- 
unteer delightful  entertainments.  Traveling  lect- 
urers as  well  as  musical  troupes  render  their 
services  without  charge.  Large  meetings  and 
reunions  are  held,  which  are  addressed  by  dis- 
tinguished speakers  from  all  sections  of  the 
country. 

THE  CAMP. 

As  we  enter  the  camp  we  meet  with  men  from 
every  loyal  state  and  from  every  corps  and  reg- 


DISABLED   VOLUNTEER   SOLDIERS.  97 

iment  that  took  part  in  the  great  struggle.  Many 
are  stumping  along  with  an  artificial  leg,  and 
many  an  empty  sleeve  flies  idly  in  the  breeze — 
doubtless  the  largest  number  of  one-legged  and 
one-armed  men  in  any  one  institution  in  the 
world.  A  larger  number  move  only  by  the  aid 
of  crutches.  Others  there  are  with  all  their  fair 
proportions ;  but  a  single  glance  will  show  the 
sign  of  the  campaign,  and  that  the  hardships  of  the 
tented  field  have  broken  down  their  strong  con- 
stitution, leaving  only  the  wreck  behind.  All, 
however,  have  a  comparatively  cheerful  expres- 
sion, and  are  probably  discussing  some  question 
of  the  day  or  enjoying  the  pleasures  of  smoking 
the  fragrant  weed.  The  men  are  in  uniform  dress, 
as  the  rules  require.  Fronting  the  principal  bar- 
racks is  a  beautiful  lawn,  in  the  center  of  which 
stands  the 

BAND  PAGODA. 

This  a  highly  ornamental  structure  and  is  brill- 
iantly lighted  with  gas  for  the  evening  concerts, 
which  are  given  regularly  every  evening  in  pleas- 
ant weather. 

THE  BARRACKS 

Are  large  three-story  frame  houses  detached,  there 
being  a  space  of  from  fifty  to  sixty  feet  between 
each,  laid  out  and  ornamented  and  kept  as  lawns. 


98  THE   NATIONAL  HOME    FOR 

Each  barrack  is  one  hundred  feet  long  by  twenty- 
five,  with  French  roofs  of  uniform  size  and  appear- 
ance. They  have  windows  on  four  sides,  have  no 
partitions  to  interfere  with  the  perfect  and  natural 
ventilation,  and  are  admirably  adapted  for  sitting 
and  sleeping  rooms,  each  floor  accommodating 
about  forty  men.  It  is  a  real  pleasure  to  walk 
through  the  neat  and  comfortable  barracks.  Each 
soldier  has  the  regulation  iron  bedstead,  well  sup- 
plied with  bedding.  By  each 'bed  is  a  wardrobe 
for  the  clothing.  The  walls  are  adorned  with 
flags  and  pictures,  and  all  the  rooms  are  scrupu- 
lously neat.  Many  of  the  inmates  have  trunks  ; 
and  the  regulations  permit  great  liberty  as  to 
personal  arrangements.  Each  barrack  is  under 
charge  of  a  sergeant,  who  must  report  every  morn- 
ing the  exact  condition  of  his  command.  They 
are  lettered  and  numbered  like  the  different  com- 
panies of  a  regiment,  and  police  and  sanitary  reg- 
ulations are  enforced  throughout  with  an  approach 
to  military  exactness.  The  barracks  represent,  as 
it  were,  one  side  of  a  street  or  thoroughfare,  on 
the  opposite  side  of  which  are  similar  barracks. 
En  the  center  of  these  buildings  is  the 

GRAND  DINING-HALL  BUILDING. 

This  new  and  superb  structure  is,  except  the 
hospital,  the  largest  building  and  the  most  impos- 


DISABLED   VOLUNTEER  SOLDIERS.  99 

ing  of  any  in  the  Home.  The  building  is  admired 
not  only  for  fine  architectural  effect,  but  for  its 
great  durability  of  construction,  and  reflects  the 
highest  credit  upon  the  good  taste  and  mechanical 
skill  of  Capt.  D.  F.  Giddinger,  the  Home  builder, 
under  whose  immediate  supervision  all  the  plans 
and  details  of  construction  have  been  admirably 
executed.  The  building  is  ninety-seven  feet  four 
inches  by  one  hundred  and  thirty-one  feet  eight 
inches,  measured  on  the  outside  face  of  the  brick 
wall  line,  and  is  three  stories  high.  The  main 
wall  of  the  first  story  is  eighteen  feet,  the  second 
story  is  sixteen  feet  in  the  clear,,  and  the  third 
story  is  fourteen  feet.  The  outside  brick  wall  is 
one  foot  six  inches,  or  the  width  of  four  bricks  in 
thickness,  and  the  pilasters  project  eight  inches 
from  the  outside  and  inside  face  of  the  walls  of 
the  superstructure.  The  foundation  upon  which 
the  edifice  has  been  reared  is  of  a  substantial  char- 
acter, being  built  of  solid  stone.  The  foundation 
wall  is  three  feet  wide  and  seven  feet  high.  The 
door  and  window  sills  are  the  best  quality  of 
Dayton  limestone  and  finished  in  a  wTorkman-like 
manner.  The  walls  of  the  building  are  composed 
of  the  best  quality  of  brick,  well  and  thoroughly 
laid  in  good  mortar  of  fresh-burned  lime  and 
clean  white  river  sand.  The  outside  face  of  the 

walls  are  of  good  weather  bricks  of  a  dark  and 
8 


100  THE   NATIONAL   HOME   FOR 

uniform  red  color,  all  of  which  are  neatly  laid  and 
flush  pointed.  The  walls  are  bonded  at  every 
seventh  course,  and  the  pilasters  are  carried  up 
true  and  plumb  with  quarter  neatly  turned  at  the 
top.  The  cut  stone  have  been  neatly  set  by  the 
mason.  All  the  walls  and  ceilings  of  the  entire 
building,  except  the  third,  or  Mansard,  are  well 
and  alike  thoroughly  plastered  with  two  coats  ol 
brown  and  one  of  white,  and  are  sufficiently 
gauged  with  calcine  plaster,  so  as  to  produce  a 
smooth,  white,  hard  finish.  The  cornices,  door 
and  window  caps,  and  all  the  capping,  crest,  and 
railing  on  the  Mansard-roof,  with  all  the  orna- 
ments and  dormer-windows,  are  composed  of  num- 
ber twenty-six  galvanized  iron  and  finished  in 
highly  ornamental  style.  The  upright  part  ot 
the  Mansard-roof  is  covered  with  the  best  qual- 
ity of  western  Vermont  slate,  and  is  of  that  kind 
known  to  the  trade  as  unfading  green  and  purple 
slate.  The  best  part  of  one  third  of  the  roof- 
center  is  cut  of  hexagon  pattern.  The  slate  is  se- 
cured to  the  roof  by  galvanized  slating  nails  in 
each  slate,  while  all  the  flashings  are  of  tin.  This 
roof  has  been  designed  by  Captain  Qiddinger 
upon  the  plan  of  the  Howe  truss,  and  may  be 
termed  a  truss-roof. 

THE  INTERIOR. 
The  building  is  entered  by  nine  spacious  doors 


DISABLED   VOLUNTEER  SOLDIERS.  101 


of  unique  design.    There  are  four  entrances  on 
each  side  and  one  in  front. 

THE  DINING-HALL. 

Sixteen  iron  columns  of  the  Corinthian  order 
add  ornament  and  strength  to  this  floor  and  sup- 
port the  floor  above  it.  There  are  twenty-eight 
tables  in  all,  to  which  access  is  had  by  center  and 
side  aisles.  These  tables  are  neatly  constructed, 
each  being  three  feet  wide  and  seating  forty  men, 
or  in  all  eleven  hundred  and  twenty  men.  Con- 
nected with  it  are  the  necessary  pantries,  closets, 
and  wash-rooms.  The  second  floor  was  originally 
intended  for  an  upper  dining-hall,  which  may  at 
any  time,  if  found  necessary,  be  converted  to  that 
purpose  ;  but  at  the  present  time  it  is  used  as  a 
barrack,  and  has  sleeping  accommodations  for 
three  hundred  men.  The  third  floor,  having  a 
height  of  fourteen  feet,  is  sustained  from  the  roof 
with  heavy  iron  rods,  which  afford  great  strength. 
It  has  been  partitioned  off  into  sleeping-roorns,  of 
which  there  are  eighteen,  each  room  accommodat- 
ing twelve  men. 

OPENING  OF  THE  NEW  DINING-HALL. 

The  spacious  new  dining-hall,  with  capacity  to 

comfortably  seat  over  eleven  hundred  persons,  was 

opened  December  25th,  1874,  with  an  inaugural 

dinner,  music,  speeches,  and  other  appropriate  ex- 


102  THE   NATIONAL   HOME   FOR 

ercises.  The  dinner  was  one  of  magnificent  pro- 
portions, and  with  a  few  exceptions  was  the  same 
as  is  served  every  day  at  the  Home.  The  bill  of 
fare  was  as  follows : 

Fresh  oysters,  stewed,  Christmas  beef,  roast,  celery,  mashed 
potatoes,  stewed  tomatoes,  cucumber  pickles,  bread,  butter, 
crackers,  mince-pies,  coffee,  nuts,  apples,  and  oranges. 

Some  idea  of  the  proportions  of  the  dinner  may 
be  had  from  an  enumeration  of  the  quantities  of 
various  articles  of  food  served.  First :  seven  hun- 
dred half  cans  of  oysters,  ten  barrels  of  potatoes, 
nine  hundred  pounds  of  beef,  three  hundred  and 
sixty  gallons  of  coffee,  one  hundred  and  forty-five 
dozen  celery,  two  thousand  and  eight  hundred 
oranges,  eight  barrels  of  apples,  four  hundred 
mince-pies,  sixty-five  gallon-cans  of  tomatoes,  one 
hundred  and  forty-five  pounds  of  candies  and  nuts 
each,  four  hundred  and  twenty-five  pounds  of  but- 
ter, two  hundred  and  fifty  two-pound  loaves  of 
bread,  and  six  thousand  burr  pickles. 

At  one  o'clock  the  bugle  sounded  the  dinner- 
call,  and  one  thousand  one  hundred  and  twenty 
veterans,  without  falling  into  column  or  observ- 
ing any  particular  order  of  march,  went  into  the 
hall  quietly,  and  in  the  best  of  order  took  their 
seats  at  the  table,  the  proceedings  being  accom- 
panied with  music  from  the  Home  Baud.  Gov- 
ernor Brown  gave  notice  that  the  invited  guests 


DISABLED   VOLUNTEER   SOLDIERS.  103 

and  the  remainder  of  the  veterans  not  accommo- 
dated at  this  sitting  would  be  summoned  to  a 
second  table  in  due  time  by  the  bugle-call.  Chap- 
lain Earnshaw  then  asked  the  divine  blessing  upon 
the  dinner,  after  which  the  veterans  commenced 
the  discussion  of  the  good  things  before  them. 

The  invited  guests  were  the  contractors,  arti- 
sans, mechanics,  and  laborers  who  had  been  em- 
ployed on  the  building,  and  in  addition,  a  number 
of  ladies  and  gentlemen  of  Dayton. 

At  about  two  o'clock  those  who  had  not  eaten 
at  the  first  table  were  summoned  to  the  hall,  and 
found  a  bountiful  dinner  sp'read  for  them.  After 
it  had  been  disposed  of,  and  the  hall  filled  with 
veterans  from  the  outside,  the  inaugural  exercises 
commenced.  Colonel  Brown  delivered  the  first 
speech,  from  which  we  make  the  following  extract 
pertinent  to  the  subject : 

•  ."The  present  plan,  like  the  other,  drawn  by  our  own 
architect,  Lemuel  P.  Porter,  was  submitted  for  examination 
and  adopted  by  the  Board  on  the  first  of  April,  1874..  Prep- 
arations were  then  made,  and  material  ordered,  but  no 
active  operations  were  began  until  the  middle  of  May.  The 
great  perplexity,  for  many  weeks,  was  the  difficulty  of  re- 
moving the  old  dining-hall,  which  was  composed  of  an  old 
barn  forty  by  fifty,  with  wings  on  every  side,  which  acted  as 
a  stay  or  brace  to  hold  the  old  barn  up.  Then,  in  this 
building  we  had  two  hundred  men  who  had  no  other  place 
to  go,  and  exactly  what  to  do  in  this  dilemma  was  a  very 
troublesome  question.  But  finally  Councilman  Hammond 
was  induced  to  undertake  the  work  of  removal,  with  all  its 
mortal  freight  included,  and  with  all  his  snapping  of  cable- 
chains,  ropes,  and  timbers,  to  say  nothing  of  eyes,  he  sue- 


104  THE  NATIONAL  HOME  FOR 

ceeded  beyond  our  most  sanguine  expectations,  and  the 
main  building  and  the  several  wings  soon  walked  off  to  an- 
other locality,  and  the  foundation  was  cleared  of  rubbish. 
He  was  well  aided  by  most  efficient  workmen,  and  Edward 
Lynch  with  his  faithful  squad  was  always  on  hand  to  aid 
and  encourage  in  the  work  of  removal.  No  sooner  was  the 
way  cleared  than  Tom  White  followed  with  his  excavating 
force,  and  in  a  very  few  days  the  place  was  prepared  ready 
for  the  foundation  and  cellar  walls.  The  contract  for  the 
walls  had  been  let  to  Messrs.  Ila  and  Lee  Lynam,  of  West 
Dayton,  and  aided  by  the  efficient  force  of  good  workmen,  the 
foundation  walls  soon  invited  the  ornamental  stone  bases, 
which  Messrs.  Weber  &  Huffman  were  not  slow  in  supplying. 
Then  came  the  very  important  brick  superstructure,  which 
had  been  let  by  contract,  after  a  close  and  spirited  compe- 
tition, to  Jasper  Billings.  No  time  was  lost,  and  in  a  few 
days  the  work  began  to  show  ;  and  almost  magical  were  the 
transformations.  Brick  followed  brick,  story  upon  story,  un- 
til all  said,  '  This  is  wonderful.'  Then  followed  the  truss-roof, 
with  its  heavy  timbers  and  strong  iron,  under  contract  with 
Messrs.  D.  H.  &  C.  C.  Morrison,  under  whose  inspiration, 
aided  by  a  force  of  efficient  workmen,  the  building  was  soon 
ready  for  the  roof.  Then  followed  Messrs.  William  Geb- 
hart  &  Co.,  with  the  roofers,  and  in  an  incredible  short  space 
of  time  the  building  was  under  cover.  There  was  then  no 
delay,  and  before  a  test  of  the  roof  could  be  made  the  plas- 
tering was  well  under  way,  and  rushed  forward  as  rapidly 
as  possible  under  contract  by  W.  H.  Finch.  Thus  I  have 
very  imperfectly  sketched  the  rise  and  progress  of  this  build- 
ing, which  I  had  almost  likened  to  Solomon's  temple.  But 
so  far  I  have  not  mentioned  the  master-builder.  Of  course 
this  temple  is  unlike  Solomon's,  in  that  it  has  much  wooden 
material,  even  from  the  base  to  the  dome.  All  this  struct- 
ure has  required  a  masfer-builder, — a  Hiram  Abiff,  so  to 
speak, — whose  business  it  was  to  lay  down  the  plans  from 
time  to  time  upon  the  trestle-board,  a  skilled  workman  who 
could  be  relied  upon,  to  see  that  each  brick  and  stone  and 
timber,  and  all  iron  and  glass  and  every  sort  of  material 
was  properly  adjusted,  that  when  completed  it  would  be  a 
perfect  building,  and  do  credit  to  the  Solomon's — the  wise 
men  of  the  Board  of  Managers  who  had  so  generously  and 
considerately  directed  the  grand  structure  to  be  built  for  our 
use.  The  selection  for  this  important  post  was  our  worthy 
master-builder,  Captain  D.  F.  Giddinger,  and  were  he  not  so 
modest  and  retiring  in  his  habits  and  tastes,  I  would  almost 


DISABLED    VOLUNTEER   SOLDIERS.  105 

venture  the  prediction  that  he  feels  a  little  pride  and  no 
small  degree  of  satisfaction  at  the  result  of  his  labors.  Con- 
stantly at  his  post  from  early  morn  to  dewy  eve,  through 
the  sultry  heat  of  a  long  and  unusually  scorching  summer, 
day  after  day  and  week  after  week  has  he  steadily  and  per- 
sistently continued  his  labors,  never  tiring,  never  ceasing, 
ever  watchful  and  always  faithful.  While  I  may  safely  com- 
pliment every  contractor  and  every  workman  upon  this 
temple  of  ours  for  prompt  and  efficient  labor  and  mechan- 
ical skill,  it  will  be  readily  conceded  by  all  that  to  Captain 
Giddinger  belongs  the  honor  of  the  skillful  and  efficient 
master-builder.  He  has  had  his  soul  in  the  enterprise ;  and 
who  can  blame  him  if  as  he  sits  at  our  feast  to-day  his  heart 
is  made  glad  by  the  joyous  looks  of  the  good  friends  gath- 
ered around  him. 

"  It  would  ill  become  me,  as  I  stand  here  to-day  with  these 
numerous  evidences  of  the  skilled  painter  before,  behind* 
above,  beneath,  and  all  around  me,  not  to  give  a  word  of 
praise  to  the  artisan  who  has  so  faithfully  performed  his 
part.  To  our  own  Frank  McGlinchy  and  his  very  efficient 
and  skilled  assistants  we  are  indebted  for  a  most  elegant  and 
tasteful  job.  These  iron  columns,  strong  and  smooth  as 
they  left  the  hands  of  W.  P.  Callahan,  would  scarcely  be 
recognized  as  the  gilded  pillars  of  this  temple.  So  also 
while  we  look  to  the  right  and  left,  and  a  little  above  us,  are 
we  reminded  that  our  long-tried  and  faithful  gas-fitter,  James 
P.  Heaten,  has  added  his  skill,  and  rendered  our  temple 
pleasant  at  night  as  well  as  by  day.  The  mild  temperature 
of  the  hall  reminds  us  that  the  steam-fitters  have  also  added 
their  skill.  The  entire  work  of  the  steam-fitting,  for  heating 
purposes  as  well  as  for  domestic  use  in  the  building,  has  been 
done  by  our  own  mechanics,  under  the  direction  of  the  chief 
engineer,  Mr.  W.  G.  Crutchfield,  and  his  excellent  assistant, 
Thomas  Hinton.  It  is  a  matter  of  great  pride  with  us  that 
so  much  of  this  structure  has  been  built  within  our  own  re- 
sources—the entire  excavations  for  the  foundations  and  cel- 
lars, the  carpenter- work,  save  such  as  could  be  done  by 
machinery,  and  much  of  the  painting  and  glazing,  the  gas, 
steam,  and  water-fittings.  Now  I  wish  it  were  in  my  power 
to  tell  how  earnestly  all  persons  interested  in  this  work  have 
performed  their  allotted  parts. 

"As  the  cost  of  all  public  buildings  is  a  matter  of  interest, 
and  which  always  can  not  be  found  out,  I  wish  to  give  the 
true  figures  as  shown  by  the  books.  By  a  close  estimate  an 
appropriation  of  $27,000  was  asked  of  and  granted  by  the 


106  THE   NATIONAL   HOME  FOR 

Board  of  Managers.    The  following  are  the  exact  expend- 
itures : 

Ila  and  Lee  Lynam $    370  oo 

Webber  &  Huffman 751  50 

Jasper  Billings 4,780  oo 

D.  H.  &  C.  C.  Morrison 2,420  56 

W.  F.  Gebhart  &  Co 5,100  oo 

Mitchel  &  Rowland  Lumber  Co 3,43^  49 

W.  H.  Finch 1,220  oo 

W.  P.  Callahan 1.239  °5 

John  Rouzer 1.095  oo 

Young  &  Young 750  12 

Brooks  &  Light 910  06 

E.  T.  Carson  &  Co 822  74 

R.  S.  Hoglen  &  Co 689  15 

C.  H.  &  D.  Railroad  Co 507  59 

William  H.  Shank 251  22 

Brownell  &  Kielmeir 187  02 

Sundry  small  bills 1,143  53 

Total $25,678  03 

Balance  of  appropriation  unexpended $1,321  97 

"The  unexpended  part  of  the  appropriation  will  fully 
complete  the  building.  I  present  these  facts  and  leave  it  to 
others  to  discuss  and  determine  in  their  own  minds  as  to 
the  economy  of  these  expenditures." 

After  Colonel  Brown,  Chaplain  Earnshaw  was 
the  next  speaker.  He  made  an  appropriate  and 
eloquent  speech,  in  which  he  referred  to  the  cus- 
tom of  inaugurating  each  new  building  at  the 
Home  with  appropriate  exercises.  They  all  re- 
membered when  the  invalid  veterans  were  trans- 
ferred from  the  barracks  to  the  palatial  wards  of 
the  new  hospital;  then  again  the  dedication  of 
the  church  which  was  built  upon  the  broad  foun- 
dation of  charity.  This  he  regarded  as  the  mos4 


DISABLED   VOLUNTEER   SOLDIERS.  107 

important  occasion  of  the  kind  that  had  occurred 
at  the  institution.  When  the  Home  for  disabled 
soldiers  was  first  established  it  was  said  that  the 
spirit  which  caused  its  erection  would  soon  die 
out,  and  the  veterans  would  be  left  to  care  for 
themselves;  but  as  each  successive  building  goes 
up  and  is  dedicated,  it  shows  that  the  institution 
is  a  permanent  one,  and  that  the  people  of  this 
republic  would  not  forget  those  who  defended  it 
and  made  it  in  truth  the  home  of  the  free,  which 
it  had  not  been  until  the  abolition  of  slavery. 
Chaplain  Earnshaw  spoke  at  some  length,  the 
foregoing  being  not  even  a  synopsis  of  all  his 
remarks. 

"  Sweet  Land  of  Liberty  'tis  of  thee,"  was  sung, 
and  then  the  following  letter  from  Mrs.  Putnam 
to  Chaplain  Earnshaw  was  read: 

"68  BACON  STREET,  December  22,  1874. 

"DEAR  SIR — I  received  your  very  interesting  letter  yes- 
terday afternoon,  just  after  I  had  sent  off  a  box  to  the  Home. 

"  You  may  well  say  that  you  think  I  shall  be  surprised  to 
hear  the  number  of  books  (thirty-one  thousand  three  hun- 
dred and  eighty-eight)  that  have  been  read  at  the  Home 
during  the  year  1874.  It  is  indeed  wonderful. 

"  It  gives  me  great  pleasure  to  learn  that  the  books  which 
went  in  the  last. box  were  acceptable.  I  trust  there  are  some 
in  the  box  which  is  on  its  way  to  you  that  will  give  pleasure. 
I  have  been  so  fortunate  as  to  find  a  copy  of  Winckle's 
Cathedrals  of  England  and  Wales.  It  contains  several 
views  of  all  the  finest  cathedrals,  with  an  account,  historical 
and  descriptive,  which  will  I  think  be  very  interesting  to 
your  more  serious  readers.  You  will  find  in  this  box  some 
books  sent  by  my  nephew,  Charles  Lowell.  Among  others, 


108  THE   NATIONAL   HOME    FOR 

Lossing's  Field-Book  of  the  War  of  1812,  The  Days  of  Bruce, 
Alfred  the  Great,  by  Thomas  Hughes,  Tom  Brown's  School- 
Days,  by  Thomas  Hughes,  Back-Log  Studies,  by  Warner, 
The  Hymnal,  Old  and  New,  etc. 

"  I  thank  you  very  much  indeed  for  your  kindness  in  pro- 
posing to  give  my  portrait  a  place  in  the  valuable  history  of 
the  Dayton  Home  which  you  have  been  preparing.  But  I 
can  not  but  believe  that,  even  when  writing  to  ask  my  assent, 
you  must  also  have  anticipated  my  answer.  I  am  deeply 
grateful,  but  it  is  impossible  for  me  to  accept  the  honor  de- 
signed me.  I  am  sure  that  you  will  understand  my  feelings, 
and  that  I  need  not  make  any  prolonged  explanation. 

"I  shall  look  forward  to  the  pleasure  of  reading  your 
history  of  the  Home.  With  great  regard, 

"MARY  LOWELL  PUTNAM." 

The  following  telegram  was  also  read  from  Mr. 
Carson : 

"  CINCINNATI,  December  25,  1874. 
"COLONEL  E.  F.  BROWN: 

"  Greetings  of  the  season  to  yourself  and  the  noble  insti- 
tution over  which  you  preside.  I  regret  I  can  not  be  with 
you  to  participate  in  the  joyous  festivities  of  the  day.  '  Peace 
on  earth,  good  will  to  men.'  E.  T.  CARSON." 

Captain  Thompson,  the  steward  at  the  Home, 
who  is,  by  the  way,  one  of  the  most  popular  of- 
ficers of  the  institution,  was  called  upon  for  a 
speech.  He  responded  with  some  reluctance,  but 
made  a  neat,  brief  speech.  The  dining-hall  is  es- 
pecially connected  with  his  department,  and  in 
his  remarks  he  referred  to  that  fact,  and  also  the 
gratification  of  himself  and  the  officers  and  men 
at  the  Home  on  account  of  its  completion. 

At  the  conclusion  of  his  remarks  Colonel  Brown 
proposed  three  cheers  for  the  occasion,  which  were 
given  with  a  will,  and  the  crowd  dispersed. 


DISABLED   VOLUNTEER  SOLDIERS.  109 

REGULATIONS  OF  THE  DINING-HALL. 
The  dining-hall,  set  for  dinner,  is  a  beautiful 
sight,  with  its  long  tables  covered  with  neat  cloths, 
shining  ware,  and  comfortable  appointments. 
Here,  too,  are  flags  and  pictures,  giving  the  walls 
a  cheerful  look.  The  bill  of  fare  is  quite  gener- 
ous, being  different  for  every  day  in  the  week. 
Here  is  a  specimen  of  that  which  governs  from 
December  till  the  spring  vegetables  come  in  : 

SUNDAY. 

Breakfast—  Boiled  ham,  potatoes,  brown  bread,  butter, 
coffee. 

Dinner  —  Roast  mutton,  potatoes,  tomatoes,  pie,  bread, 
butter,  coffee. 

Supper  —  Bread  and  butter,  gingerbread,  fruit,  tea,  beets. 

MONDAY. 

Breakfast  —  Corned  beef,  potatoes,  bread,  butter,   coffee. 
Dinner  —  Macaroni    soup,   boiled    beef,   potatoes,  bread, 
crackers. 
Supper  —  Mush  and  sirup,  warm  biscuit,  butter,  cheese,  tea. 

TUESDAY. 

Breakfast  —  Irish  stew,  potatoes,  bread,  butter,  coffee 
Dinner  —  Pork  loins,  kraut  or  turnips,  pickles,  bread,  but- 
ter, coffee. 
4$«//^r—  Bread,  butter,  cake,  fruit,  tea 

'       WEDNESDAY. 

Breakfast  —  Beef,  stewed  onions,  potatoes,  bread,  butter, 
coffee. 

Dinner  —  Mutton  pot-pie,  tomatoes,  brown  and  white  bread, 
coffee. 

—Cold  beef,  beets,  bread,  butter,  tea. 


The  steward  has  some  liberty  to  vary  this,  but 
not  to  reduce  the  general  average. 
Just  back    of  the  dining-room    is  the  grand 


110  THE   NATIONAL   HOME   FOR 

kitchen.  Five  enormous  coffee-caldrons,  contain- 
ing eighty  gallons  each,  hold  just  enough  for  each 
meal ;  and  four  soup-kettles,  with  a  capacity  or 
one  hundred  gallons  each,  supply  the  soup  for 
one  dinner.  These  are  run  by  steam  supplied 
from  the  laundry  some  rods  away.  The  pot-pie 
for  Wednesday  requires  twenty-one  sheep,  seven 
barrels  of  potatoes,  a  hundred  pounds  of  flour, 
and  six  dpzen  eggs — no  pot-pie  to  spare  either. 
Fifteen  barrels  of  "heads"  supply  cabbage  for 
one  dinner.  The  ordinary  dinner,  without  soup 
or  pot-pie,  requires  seven  hundred  pounds  of  meat. 
The  last  poultry  dinner,  a  treat,  required  just  one 
ton  of  dressed  fowls.  On  Easter  morning  the  vet- 
erans ate  three  thousand  eggs  and  thirty  large 
hams.  The  bulk  of  hash  is  incredible.  Such  an 
amount  of  cooking  done  by  a  few  men,  and  so 
cheap,  raises  the  question  if  there  is  not  a  better 
day  coming  when  several  families  shall  club  to- 
gether and  do  their  cooking  in  the  same  man- 
ner, at  about  one  fifth  the  cost  and  trouble  each 
family  now  has.  The  laundry  department  cleans 
twelve  thousand  pieces  per.week,  at  a  very  small 
cost.  This  kitchen  and  bakery  are  regarded,  by 
all  who  are  competent  to  judge,  among  the  best  in 
the  land. 

Jack  Easy,  formerly  of  company  D,  second 
Maryland  volunteers,  thus  expresses  himself  con- 
cerning the  larder  of  the  Home : 


THE  DEER  PARK. 


DISABLED   VOLUNTEER   SOLDIERS.  Ill 

"It  is  impossible  to  say,  after  enjoying  the  comforts  of  this 
Home  and  its  outside  beauties,  that  republics  are  ungrateful. 
The  man  who  would  say  it  has  neither  heart  for  home  or 
country  left,  and  when  death  finds  him  the  ocean  ought  to 
be  his  resting-place.  The  hospital  here  is  a  palace  in  itself, 
and  the  bill  of  fare  for  those  who  are  sick  or  lame  or  con- 
valescent, beats  anything  of  its  kind  in  this  or  any  other 
country.  Some  of  the  dishes  are  fricasseed  chicken,  bass, 
rice-pudding,  egg,  custard,  etc.  I  have  boarded  outside 
and  paid  $5  per  week  for  far  poorer  living  than  I  get  here 
for  nothing  but  faithful  service  to  the  country  in  its  hour  of 
need.  The  national  boarding-house  can't  be  beat.  Most 
people  who  keep  boarding-houses  outside  expect  to  make  a 
fortune  in  a  few  years  out  of  their  boarders;  widow  land- 
ladies I  include,  and  grass  widows  are  the  worst  of  the  class. 
It  is  a  cold  leg  of  mutton  for  dinner,  served  up  in  cutlets  at 
night,  and  in  the  morning  tempts  you  in  the  shape  of  hash  ; 
and  if  it  is  not  disposed  of  at  that  meal,  it  will  come  up 
again  as  soup  a  la  mode.  The  French  name  helps  it  to 
digest. 

"  I  knew  a  grass  widow  who  commenced  taking  boarders 
when  she  was  worth  but  $45  ;  now  she  owns  two  brick  houses 
and  several  lots,  and  goes  to  Newport  to  catch  sea-breezes. 

"But  in  this  hospital  and  Home  they  have  no  fortune  to 
make,  as  the  nation  pays  the  bill ;  so  there  are  no  ten  min- 
utes for  meals.  We  do  not  rush  ahead  like  the  outside 
world,  but  take  things  easy." 

"We  conclude  this  article  with  the  following  in- 
teresting statement  kindly  furnished  by  the  stew- 
ard, Captain  Wm.  Thompson. 

The  proportion  of  articles  issued  daily  per  man 
is  about  as  follows : 

Bread,  crackers,  and  biscuit 13$  ounces. 

Meat  and  fish 12}      " 

Butter 2}      " 

Tea  and  coffee I  1-16      " 

In  the  month  of  October,  1874,  the  following 


112  THE   NATIONAL   HOME   FOR 

quantities  of   articles   were  delivered  from  tlie 
bakery : 

Bread 48,092  pounds. 

Biscuit 7,188      " 

Cake 3,200      " 

Cookies 1,674      " 

Pies 4,464 

In  the  production  of  these  articles  two  hundred 
and  sixty  barrels  of  flour  were  used.  The  follow- 
ing quantities  of  other  articles  were  also  used 
during  the  month : 

Fresh  beef. 30,730  pounds. 

Corned  beef. 2,572 

Ham 3,728 

Mackerel 2,737 

Mutton 5,116 

Pork  loin 1,800 

Shoulders 2,175 

Butter 1 1,093 

Cabbage 3.463 

Cheese 1,338 

Coffee 3,362 

Eggs 1,507  dozen. 

Milk 2,077  gallon. 

Potatoes 6,070  bushel. 

Sugar 6,420  pounds 

Tea 457       " 

Tobacco 800 

Capt.  Wm.  Thompson,  besides  performing  the 
arduous  and  responsible  duties  of  steward,  has 
likewise  under  his  supervision  the  following  in- 
dustrial branches :  Cigar,  stocking,  broom,  and 
soap  factories,  and  paint,  shoe,  tailor,  upholsterer, 
and  harness-shops.  The  ability  of  Capt.  Thomp- 


DISABLED   VOLUNTEER    SOLDIERS.  113 

eon  is  plainly  visible  in  the  various  departments. 
The  total  cost  of  subsistence  for  the  year  1874 
was  $134,593.55. 

THE  LAUNDRY 

Is  a  large  substantial  structure,  built  of  brick,  and 
is  three  stories'  high.  All  the  washing  for  the 
Home  is  done  here  by  steam.  On  the  first  floor 
are  immense  washing-machines,  worked  by  steam 
power  and  tended  by  inmates  of  the  Home.  Above 
are  the  linen,  pressing,  and  repairing  rooms.  The 
clothes,  after  being  pressed  and  folded,  are  brought 
into  the  linen-rooms  and  given  in  charge  of  the 
superintendent.  The  garments  are  then  placed 
upon  shelves  divided  into  compartments,  each  di- 
vision receiving  one  particular  kind  of  garment. 
A  strict  account  is  kept  of  every  article  given  out 
and  returned,  in  order  to  prevent  confusion  and 
loss.  Every  week  the  sergeant  of  each  barrack 
makes  a  requision  for  the  number  of  garments 
required  for  the  men  in  his  charge.  The  gar- 
ments drawn,  consisting  of  shirts,  drawers,  socks, 
pillow-cases,  sheets,  and  towels,  are  delivered  in 
systematic  order  to  a  detail  of  men.  On  Monday 
morning  the  clothing  worn  the  previous  week  is 
returned  in  the  same  orderly  manner.  The  laun- 
dry forms  a  great  object  of  interest  to  ladies  vis- 
ting  the  Home,  and  they  are  frequently  heard  to 
9 


114  THE   NATIONAL   HOME   FOR 

make  many  witty  remarks  as  they  behold  the 
lords  of  creation  applying  themselves  vigorously 
in  removing  the  terror  of  wash-day.  The  bath- 
room is  near  the  laundry,  thus  practically  illus- 
trating our  faith  in  the  proverb,  that  "  cleanliness 
is  next  to  godliness."  John  M.  Beck,  Supt. 

REPAIRING-SHOPS. 

Ten  or  twelve  men  are  constantly  employed 
in  repairing  for  the  inmates.  Our  fair  readers,  we 
trust,  will  no  longer  doubt  the  ability  of  the  mas- 
culine gender  to  repair  the  loss  of  the  impressible 
button,  and  to  demonstrate  that  "  a  stitch  in  time 
saves  nine."  A  jolly  batch  of  menders  and  patchers 
are  industriously  engaged  all  hours  of  the  day  in 
repairing  socks,  shirts,  drawers,  pants,  etc. 

THE  INDUSTRIAL  RESOURCES  OF  THE  HOME. 

In  addition  to  all  this  work  in  shops,  etc.,  the 
order  of  the  Board  that  all  service  and  labor  in 
and  about  the  homes  shall,  as  far  as  possible,  be 
performed  by  disabled  soldiers,  has  been  strictly 
complied  with ;  and  over  one  thousand  men  are 
employed  in  that  way.  The  compensation  paid  to 
inmates  at  the  several  branches  has  ranged  from 
$5  to  $25  per  month.  During  the  year  there  were 
employed  in  the  homes,  including  workshops, 
farms,  gardens,  etc., 


DISABLED   VOLUNTEER  SOLDIERS.  115 

At  the  Central,  905  inmates,  to  whom  was  paid.... $56,204  17 
At  the  North-western,  355  inmates,  to  whom  was 

paid 22,347  82 

At  the  Eastern,  399  inmates,  to  whom  was  paid...  36,046  22 
At  the  Southern,  266  inmates,  to  whom  was  paid..  14,123  60 

making  a  total  of  one  thousand  nine  hundred  and 
twenty  five  disabled  soldiers  so  employed  during 
the  year,  to  whom  was  paid  the  sum  of  $128,721.81. 
Much  of  this  money  (as  has  been  seen)  is  returned 
to  the  homes  in  shop  and  farm  products ;  and  a 
considerable  portion  is  sent  by  those  who  earn  it 
to  dependent  wives  and  children,  or  left  with  the 
treasurer  and  put  at  interest  for  the  benefit  of  the 
inmates,  until  a  sufficient  amount  has  been  realized 
to  enable  them  to  buy  a  home  or  engage  in  some 
outside  business. 

WORKSHOPS. 

The  shops  at  the  Central  Home,  at  Dayton,  are 
the  oldest  and  largest,  and  have  been  the  most  suc- 
cessful. They  employed  one  thousand  and  five 
hundred  men  last  year,  the  total  product  of  whos£ 
labor  was  $70,048.76,  and  net  profit  of  the  same 
$20,708.62.  The  trades  carried  on  were  cigar- 
making,  at  which  thirty-nine  men  were  employed, 
who  manufactured  seven  hundred  and  seventy- 
two  thousand,  worth  $17,611.12,  on  which  there 
was  a  profit  of  $4,125.19  ;  knitting,  by  which  one 
thousand  five  hundred  and  thirty  dozen  pairs  of 
stockings,  worth  $7,101.75,  were  made,  with  a  profit 


116  THE  NATIONAL  HOME   FOR 

of  |994.94 ;  printing — all  the  work  of  the  Man- 
agers and  the  other  branches  is  done  at  this  of- 
fice, and  at  a  great  saving  to  the  National  Home; 
also  book-binding,  blacks mithing,  broom-making, 
coopering,  harness-making,  painting,  shoe-mak- 
ing, soap- making,  tailoring,  tin-smithing,  uphol- 
stering, wagon-making,  and  wire-working.  Be- 
sides, all  the  carpenter- work,  painting,  stone-work, 
tin-work,  and  part  of  the  plastering  and  iron-work 
of  the  half  dozen  new  buildings  erected  during 
the  year  have  been  done  by  inmates.  They  have 
also  done  their  own  plumbing  and  gas-fitting ;  en- 
gineered, repaired,  and  run  their  four  steam-en- 
gines; made  their  own  gas,  baked  their  own  bread, 
butchered  their  own  cattle,  and  have  done  all  the 
cooking  and  washing  for  two  thousand  and  two 
hundred  men  in  actual  attendance. 

From  the  treasurer's  report  for  the  year  1874 
we  learn  that  the  construction  and  repair  accounts 
amounted  to  $73,657.11.  The  manufacturers' 
account  for  the  same  year  shows  the  sum  of 
$54,215.73. 

In  connection  with  the  workshops  we  may 
notice  one  of  the  evidences  of  the  ingenuity 
of  the  workmen.  Mr.  Thomas  Hinton  has  con- 
structed a  miniature  steam-engine  entirely  of  brass, 
which  is  very  creditable  as  a  specimen  of  his  me- 
chanical skill.  The  engine  is  in  full  running  order, 


DISABLED   VOLUNTEER   SOLDIERS.  117 

with  all  the  attachments  belonging  to  a  first-class 
machine,  and  is  at  present  supplied  with  steam 
from  a  steam-pipe  attached  to  it.  His  intention 
is  to  construct  a  boiler  and  all  the  necessary  fix- 
tures complete.  It  is  on  exhibition  at  the  water- 
works engine-house  near  the  lake,  and  attracts 
much  attention  from  those  interested  in  mechanics. 
The  various  mechanical  departments  present  a 
scene  of  active,  busy  life.  The  several  work- 
shops are  built  in  a  regular  line,'  each  branch  of 
business  being  designated  with  an  appropriate 
sign-board.  Mr.  D.  F.  Giddinger  is  superintend- 
ent of  buildings;  and  the  carpenter,  cabinet- 
maker, wagon-maker,  and  tin-shop,  and  .all  the 
work  performed  in  these  departments,  are  under 
his  immediate  supervision. 

SAW-MILL  AND  ENGINE.-HOUSE. 

A  forty -horse-power  engine  runs  the  machinery 
in  the  laundry,  and  in  the  several  mechanical  de- 
partments, besides  supplying  steam  for  heating 
some  of  the  buildings.  The  saw-mill  is  well  sup- 
plied with  machinery,  having  scroll,  rip,  and 
crosscut  saws,  surface-plane,  matching-machine, 
turning-lathes,  thirty-two-inch  wood-saw  for  saw- 
ing fire-wood,  iron-lathe  and  drill,  and  a  machine 
for  cutting  cattle-feed. 


118  THE   NATIONAL  HOME  FOR 

CABINET-MAKER  SHOP. 

The  finest  description  of  cabinet-work  is  executed 
here;  &uch  as  furniture  for  officers'  quarters,  bed- 
steads, wardrobes,  tables,  chairs,  desks,  commodes, 
etc.,  and  last  of  all,  coffins  for  the  dead.  In  the 
cabinet-maker  shop  is  an  ingenious  machine 
known  as  a  bolt-carver,  paneler,  irregular  mold- 
ing and  dove-tailing  machine,  the  whole  present- 
ing a  combination  of  ingenuity  and  simplicity. 
Its  chief  merit  consists  in  an  arrangement  so 
simple  that  not  five  minutes'  time  is  required,  or 
the  removal  of  more  than  two  bolts  necessary, 
to  effect  the  most  radical  change  in  this  machine. 
The  amount  and  variety  of  work  accomplished 
is  truly  surprising.  The  number  of  cabinet-mak- 
ers and  carpenters  usually  employed  in  the  Home 
is  from  forty  to  fifty. 

THE  WAGON-SHOP. 

Here  all  the  rolling-stock  of  the  farm  is  made 
and  repaired,  such  as  wagons,  carts,  wheelbar- 
rows, etc.  The  iron-work  for  these  is  done  in  the 
adjoining  blacksmith-shop.  Over  this  is  the 

UPHOLSTER-SHOP 
Where  hair  mattrasses,  etc.,  are  made. 

THE  TIN-SHOP 

Is  a  useful  and  indispensable  branch  of  the  Home 
institution.    Cups,  basins,  buckets,  plates,  pans, 


DISABLED   VOLUNTEER   SOLDIERS.  119 

and  every  description  of  tin-ware,  are  made  here, 
which  for  superiority  of  workmanship  and  excel- 
lence of  finish  can  not  be  surpassed  by  any  work 
outside  of  the  Home.  Following  in  regular  order 
are  the  plumber  and  gas-fitter,  and  paint  and  ma- 
chine shops,  all  constructed  for  the  purposes  for 
which  they  are  used,  and  provided  with  a  full 
complement  of  tools  and  machinery  of  the  latest 
improved  construction.  Not  far  from  there  is 
the  machine-shop.  The  mechanical  skill  dis- 
played by  the  workmen  in  these  departments  is 
highly  creditable. 

THE  SHOE-SHOP. 

A  large  force  of  hands  are  employed  in  this  de- 
partment, in  repairing  shoes  for  the  inmates. 
Boots  and  shoes  are  also  made  to  order  for  such 
of  the  inmates  as  may  desire  a  finer  description 
of  work  than  that  allowed  them  under  the  regu- 
lations of  the  Home.  The  work  in  style  and 
finish  is  fully  equal  to  any  city-made  work.  The 
shoe-shop  is  under  the  superintendence  of  Mr. 
John  Daugherty,  to  whom  much  credit  is  due 
for  the  manner  in  which  it  is  conducted. 

THE  TAILOR-SHOP. 

If  dress  makes  the  man  the  tailors  of  the  Sol- 
diers' Home  are  fully  equal  to  the  task  of  doing 
it.  The  tailor-shop  is  a  model  of  excellence  in  its 


120  THE  NATIONAL   HOME  FOR 

way.  It  is  fitted  up  with  all  the  appurtenances 
of  a  city  establishment,  and  the  good  taste  dis- 
played in  its  arrangements  reflects  the  highest 
credit  upon  the  foreman,  Mr.  B.  Vogedes.  Here 
ten  or  more  skillful  workmen  are  employed  mak- 
ing up  garments  to  order  for  the  officers  and  in- 
mates of  the  Home.  The  materials  from  which 
these  garments  are  made  are  usually  of  good 
quality,  while  in  fit  and  finish  they  will  fully  com- 
pare with  any  made  in  the  city.  Goods  are  here 
made  only  to  individual  order  and  paid  for  ac- 
cordingly from  the  personal  resources  of  the 
parties  giving  the  order.  No  work  is  done  for 
persons  outside  of  the  Home,  the  force  being  only 
sufficient  to  meet  the  requirements  of  the  insti- 
tution. 

BROOM-FACTORY. 

A  large  force  is  employed  in  the  production  ot 
brooms.  A  great  quantity  is  required  for  the 
Home  use,  but  the  resources  of  the  factory  are 
such  as  to  enable  it  to  supply  a  large  outside  de- 
mand. 

CIGAR  MANUFACTORY. 

None  but  soldiers  are  allowed  to  work  here;  and 
all  those  in  the  shop,  except  one,  learned  the  busi- 
ness here.  All  have  been  wounded,  or  are  other- 
wise disabled,  and  quite  a  large  number  have  lost 
a  leg.  In  addition  to  their  pensions  they  have  all 


DISABLED   VOLUNTEER   SOLDIERS.  121 

they  can  earn,  and  are  thus  in  comfortable  cir- 
cumstances. The  shop  turns  out  from  seventy  to 
eighty  thousand  cigars  per  month,  the  highest 
number  everrreached  being  a  hundred  thousand. 
The  small  cigar-boxes  are  also  made  at  the  Home 
carpenter-shop — some  of  cedar  and  some  of  poplar, 
stained  in  imitation  of  cedar;  and  thus,  with  a 
single  exception  of  the  fancy-pictured  labels,  every 
part  of  the  business  is  done  here.  Last  year  they 
produced  ten  thousand  two  hundred  and  fifty-four 
pounds  of  the  finest  Ohio  tobacco  on  the  Home 
farm.  Most  of  the  balance  of  their  material  is  im- 
ported from  Connecticut.  That  produced  on  the 
farm  is  from  Havana  seed,  which  must  be  got 
fresh  from  Cuba  every  few  years  to  avoid  deteri- 
oration, as  this  region  is  not  strictly  the  native 
land  of  tobacco.  This  department  ranks  as  the 
most  successful  of  the  various  industries  estab- 
lished at  the  Home;  and  this  is  the  second  manu- 
factory in  work  done  in  this  revenue  district. 

STOCKING  MANUFACTORY 

As  in  most  of  the  work-rooms,  the  walls  are  al- 
most covered  with  pictures,  indicating  quite  a  love 
of  the  artistic  in  the  veterans.  Twenty-one  ma- 
chines are  rigged  for  running,  and  at  most  of  them 
sit  workers,  all  disabled  veterans.  The  foreman 
of  this  establishment,  Private  Joseph  Barclay,  is 


122  THE   NATIONAL   HOME    FOR 

a  lineal  descendant  of  George  Barclay,  of  early 
Quaker  memory.  The  family  kept  the  faith  even 
to  his  day,  but  he  departed  therefrom  sufficiently 
to  enlist  in  the  third  Pennsylvania  artillery,  where 
he  earned  wounds  and  glory  which 'in  due  time 
sent  him  here.  The  men  in  this  shop  work  hard 
and  steadily,  eleven  hours  being  their  regular 
day's  work.  As  in  all  other  shops,  they  are  en- 
titled to  all  they  earn  working  by  the  piece,  and 
make  very  handsome  wages.  Besides  supplying  all 
the  hose  needed  at  the  Home,  they  ship  large 
quantities.  Their  work  is  of  superior  quality, 
and  commands  a  ready  sale.  This  manufactory 
has  been  in  operation  three  years,  and  now  turns 
out  three  hundred  dozen  pairs  of  socks  per  month. 
It  is  too  often  the  case  that  when  men  are  in  a 
position  to  be  cared  for  they  soon  lose  ambition, 
and  become  more  unwilling  to  help  themselves  in 
the  same  proportion  as  they  are  helped.  But  it 
is  gratifying  to  observe  that  all  or  nearly  all  of 
those  inmates  of  the  Home  who  can  do  anything 
are  striving  to  improve  their  condition;  and  it 
frequently  happens  that  men  who  come  here  al- 
most out  of  heart  get  a  good  rest,  take  up  some 
new  trade  suitable  to  their  disability,  learn  it 
thoroughly,  save  some  money,  become  self-sup- 
porting again,  and  return  to  the  outer  world  with 
renewed  hope  and  a  fresh  start. 


DISABLED   VOLUNTEER  SOLDIEES.  123 

THE  BOOK-BINDERY. 

Iii  the  bindery  there  is  but  one  solitary  worker, 
Sergeant  John  White  of  company  H,  first  New 
Jersey  volunteers.  His  principal  business  is  re- 
pairing books  from  the  library.  Some  are  so 
popular  that  they  are  read  almost  to  pieces,  and 
require  new  binding  every  six  months.  Next  is 
the  magazine  business.  The  single  copies  coming 
during  the  year,  or  donated  by  outsiders,  are 
neatly,  or  rather  handsomely,  bound.  He  and  one 
or  two  assistants  have. bound  two  thousand  vol- 
umes during  the  past  year. 

HARNESS-SHOP. 

Harness  is  here  manufactured  from  the  very 
best  material,  and  of  the  finest  description  of 
workmanship. 

THE  PRINTING  OFFICE. 

The  "  art  preservative  of  all  arts  "  is  largely  and 
creditably  represented  in  this  institution.  At  the 
breaking  out  of  the  war  patriotic  printers  in  all 
sections  of  the  country  laid  down  their  compos- 
ing sticks  and  took  up  arms  in  defense  of  their 
country's  flag.  Many  were  knocked  into  pi,  never 
again  to  be  reset,  while  others  returned  with  bruised 
forms,  but  still  capable  of  producing  impressions. 
Many  have  since  appeared  in  new  editions,  revised 
and  corrected,  and  returned  to  the  case.  The  life 


124  THE   NATIONAL   HOME  FOR 

of  a  printer  is  of  itself  fraught  with  circumstances 
fully  calculated  to  break  down  the  strongest  con- 
stitution. Subjected  as  he  is  to  late  and  irregular 
hours,  close  application,  and  a  confined  atmos- 
phere, added  to  these  the  hard  usages  of  a  sol- 
dier's life,  have  told  fearfully  upon  the  physical 
condition  of  many  printers,  and  compelled  them 
to  seek  their  rights  and  privileges  in  the  Soldiers' 
Home.  The  printing  done  at  the  Home  is  only 
sufficient  to  require  the  services  of  a  few  printers ; 
but  many,  when  they  have  recuperated,  either  learn 
new  trades  in  the  Home  or  go  out  for  a  short  re- 
spite and  work  for  a  limited  period.  The  Home 
printing  office  was  established  merely  to  meet  the 
necessary  requirements  of  the  institution,  such  as 
printing  blank  forms  of  reports,  requisitions,  fur- 
loughs, passes,  general  and  special  orders,  pro- 
grammes for  entertainments,  etc.  A  portion  ot 
the  work  for  the  Board  of  Managers  of  the  other 
branches  of  the  National  Home  is  done  here. 
The  materials  and  appliances  employed  are  main- 
ly confined  to  the  above  specified  purposes.  These 
consist  of  a  well-assorted  font  of  type  and  a  fine 
Gordon  press.  The  establishment  presents  the 
appearance  of  a  well-ordered  job-office,  and  the 
worthy  superintendent,  Mr.  John  D.  Gibson,  need 
not  blush  upon  receiving  visits  from  his  brother 
typos,  or  others  who  may  call  upon  him.  The 


THE  THOROUGHBRED  CATTLE. 


DISABLED   VOLUNTEER   SOLDIERS.  125 

specimen-book  of  the  office  exhibits  some  highly 
creditable  and  artistic  efforts,  many  of  the  pro- 
grammes being  done  in  gold  and  fancy  colors. 
The  little  book  by  Mrs.  Mary  Lowell  Putnam  en- 
titled, "  Guepin  of  Nantes,"  was  printed  here, 
and,  though  small  in  size,  is  not  inferior  to  many 
city  publications. 

QUARTERMASTER'S  DEPARTMENT. 

Blocks  of  buildings  comprise  the  quartermast- 
er's department,  commisary  store,  printing  office, 
Home  store,  telegraph  office,  and  police  head- 
quarters. In  the  quartermaster's  department  are 
issued  the  necessary  supplies  of  clothing,  articles 
of  convenience  and  necessary  use,  etc.  As  an  ex- 
ample, we  cite  the  amount  of  clothing  issued  to 
inmates  for  the  year  1874  : 

Blouses .2,500 

Boots 1,000  pairs. 

Caps 1,000 

Dress-coats 1,500 

Overcoats ; 600 

Drawers 6,000 

Hats 1,200 

Shoes 1,500  pairs. 

Socks..... 6,000      " 

Pants 5.500      " 

.  Shirts 7,5oo 

THE  POST-OFFICE 

Which  transacts  its  business  under  government 
authority,  though  located  in  an  unpretending 
building,  forms  one  of  the  most  important  and 


126  THE   NATIONAL  HOME  FOR 

interesting  features  of  the  Home.  At  all  hours 
of  the  day  the  inmates  may  be  seen  going  to  and 
fro,  while  they  bear  in  their  hands  the  outward 
evidences  of  fond  remembrance.  But  on  the  ar- 
rival of  the  morning  and  evening  mail  the  office 
presents  a  scene  of  bustle  and  confusion  ordinarily 
witnessed  at  a  city  post-office.  The  avenue  is 
literally  thronged  with  expectant  men,  some  pa- 
tiently and  many  impatiently  awaiting  the  arrival 
of  good  news  from  home.  It  is  refreshing  to  ob- 
serve the  expression  that  radiates  the  countenances 
of  the  men  as  they  open  their  letters  and  receive 
fresh  assurances  of  love  and  regard  from  some 
friend  or  relative.  The  afiairs  of  the  office  are 
conducted  in  a  manner  highly  creditable  to  the 
fidelity  of  Mr.  Geo.  A.  Blocher,  the  postmaster. 
Mr.  B.  is  of  course  an  inmate  of  the  Home,  and 
has  held  his  present  position  for  a  period  of  more 
than  four  years.  By  the  rules  of  the  Home  each 
inmate  is  permitted  to  mail  two  letters  a  week,  to 
enable  him  to  do  which  stationery  and  postage- 
stamps  are  furnished  without  charge.  The  num- 
ber of  letters  forwarded  and  received  does  not  fall 
short  of  ten  thousand  monthly,  or  one  hundred 
and  twenty  thousand  annually.  Money-orders 
are  forwarded  annually  to  the  amount  of  forty 
thousand  dollars,  many  of  which  are  sent  to  all 
parts  of  Europe. 


DISABLED   VOLUNTEER  SOLDIERS.  127 

THE  CHAPLAIN'S  RESIDENCE. 

Nearly  opposite  to  the  church,  and  on  the  way 
to  the  cemetery,  is  the  chaplain's  residence.  It  is 
a  pretty  frame  cottage,  standing  on  a  knoll  and 
surrounded  by  luxuriant  foliage. 

THE  CEMETERY. 

Close  his  eyes,  his  work  is  done ; 

What  to  him  is  friend  or  foeman, 
Rise  of  moon  or  set  of  sun, 

Hand  of  man  or  kiss  of  woman  ! 

"  As  many  may,  he  fought  his  fight, 

Proved  his  truth  by  his  endeavor; 
Let  him  sleep  in  solemn  night, 
Sleep  forever  and  forever. 

"  Lay  him  low,  lay  him  low, 

In  the  clover  or  the  snow ; 
What  cares  he,  he  can  not  know ; 
Lay  him  low." 

In  a  grove  shaded  by  tall  trees  is  the  cemetery 
where  brave  men  are  laid.  A  head-stone,  desig- 
nating the  name  and  number  of  the  regiment  to 
which  the  deceased  was  attached,  is  placed  at  the 
grave.  The  graves  are  arranged  in  long  regular 
lines,  with  a  mounted  cannon  in  the  center.  Large 
rustic  flower- vases,  neat  and  tasteful,  are  appropri- 
ately arranged  at  intervals.  At  a  short  distance 
from  the  graves  stands  the  noble  monument 
erected  to  the  memory  of  the  fallen  heroes  by 
the  officers  and  men  of  the  Home.  The  base  of 

the  monument  is   of  granite.    The  shaft  is  of 
10 


128  THE   NATIONAL   HOME   FOB 

white  marble,  surrounded  with  a  cap  of  orna- 
mental design  and  exquisite  workmanship.  On 
the  four  sides  of  the  pedestal  appears  the  follow- 
ing inscription : 

"  These  were  honorable  men  in  their  generation."     Ecclesiasticus. 

MDCCCLDXII. 
TO  OUR  FALLEN  COMRADES. 

ERECTED  BY  THE  OFFICERS  AND  MEN  OF  THE  NATIONAL 
HOME  FOR  DISABLED  VOLUNTEER  SOLDIERS. 

On  the  occasion  of  breaking  ground  for  this 
monument  the  following  interesting  ceremonies 
took  place: 

The  procession  was  preceded  by  the  Home  Band. 
Then  followed  in  order  the  chief  marshal,  and  the 
governor  of  the  Home,  Colonel  E.  F.  Brown,  (2) 
escort,  (3)  orator,  invited  guests,  and  invalid  sol- 
diers of  the  Home  (the  latter  were  supplied  with 
vehicles  to  convey  them  from  the  hospital  to  the 
cemetery  by  the  ladies  of  Cleveland),  (4)  one- 
armed  soldiers  with  flowers,  (5)  Veteran  Post  No. 
5,  Department  of  Ohio,  Gr.  A.  R.,  (6)  veterans  of 
the  army  and  navy,  (7)  artillery,  (8)  fire  depart- 
ment, (9)  ladies,  (10)  citizens  on  foot,  (11)  carriages. 

Then  followed  the  order  of  exercises  . 
Hymn Choir  of  First  Baptist  Church  of  Dayton 

PRAYER. 

Music Home  Band 

Address. ..By  his  excellency,  E.  F.  Noyes,  Governor  of  Ohio. 

Patriotic  song  in  German Choir  of  First  German  Baptist 

Church  of  Dayton. 


DISABLED   VOLUNTEER   SOLDIERS.  129 

After  a  short  address  by  his  excellency,  Gov- 
ernor Noyes,  followed  the  "  breaking  ground 
for  a  monument,"  by  Hon.  L.  B.  Gunckel,  and 
the  following  officers  of  the  Monumental  and 
Historical  Society:  Chaplain  Wm.  Earnshaw 
president,  Lewis  J.  Jones  first  vice-president, 
George  A.  Blocher  second  vice-president,  Major 
J.  B.  Thomas  treasurer,  Wesley  Crandall  record- 
ing secretary,  James  McDonald  and  John  D. 
Gibson  corresponding  secretaries,  Captain  Chas. 
H.  Fernald  historian.  The  earth  was  wheeled 
away  by  the  oldest  members  of  the  Home  who 
were  able  to  push  a  wheelbarrow,  namely  :  Adolph 
Grimm,  eighty-three  years  of  age;  Gideon  Curtis, 
eighty-two  years  of  age;  Joseph  Gerhart,  eighty 
years  of  age ;  W.  C.  Howard,  seventy-three  years 
of  age;  Charles  Darflinger,  seventy-three  years  of 
age ;  R.  S.  Munn,  seventy-three  years  of  age ; 
John  Dublin,  seventy-three  years  of  age.  The 
first  of  these,  Adolph  Grimm,  took  part  in  the 
famous  battle  of  Leipsic,  which  resulted  in  the 
release  of  the  Germans  from  the  Napoleonic  yoke. 

The  corner-stone  of  this  monument  was  laid  on 
the  4th  of  July,  1873,  with  the  following  cere- 
monies. Captain  Fernald  read  the  following 
list  of  articles  and  documents  placed  under  the 
corner-stone  of  the  monument  of  the  Historical 
and  Monumental  Society; 


130  THE   NATIONAL   HOME   FOB 

The  Bible. 

Constitution  of  the  United  States. 

Act  of  congress  establishing  Soldiers'  Home. 

Minutes  of  the  meetings  of  the  Board  of  Managers. 

Six  photographic  views  of  the  buildings  of  the  Home. 

Thirty-six  stereographic  views  of  the  scenery  at  the  Home. 

Photograph  of  the  reception  of  Mrs.  Mary  Lowell  Putnam, 
July  4,  1872. 

Photograph  of  design  for  monument. 

Manuscript  history  of  the  Historical  and  Monumental  So- 
ciety. 

Specimen  of  money  of  Confederate  states. 

Silver  half  dollar,  1871,  Sacramento  mint,  contributed  by 
C.  H.  Fernald. 

Store-checks  used  at  Soldiers'  Home. 

Muster-roll  of  officers  and  men  of  the  National  Asylum. 

Muster-roll  of  Post  5,  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

Officers  and  members  of  Lookout  Lodge,  No,  160, 1. 0.  G.  T. 

Programme  of  ceremonies,  July  4,  1873. 

Rebel  shell  from  Gettysburg  battle-field. 

NEWSPAPERS. 

The  Dayton  Journal. 

The  Dayton  Herald. 

The  Dayton  Volksblatt. 

The  Chicago  Staats-Zeitung. 

The  Missouri  Staats-Zeitung. 

The  Cincinnati  Commercial. 

The  Cincinnati  Gazette. 

The  Cincinnati  Enquirer. 

The  Cincinnati  Times  and  Chronicle. 

The  Boston  Globe. 

The  Cleveland  Herald. 

The  Ohio  State  Journal. 

The  Pittsburgh  Commercial. 

The  Pittsburgh  Gazette. 

The  New  York  Herald. 

The  New  York  Tribune. 

The  Philadelphia  Ledger. 

The  Philadelphia  Press. 

The  Philadelphia  Age. 

The  Philadelphia  Sunday  Republic. 

Silver  quarter  dollar,  silver  dime,  silver  half  dime,  silver 
three-cent  piece,  copper  coins  (four  pieces),  contributed  by 
George  A.  Blocher,  postmaster. 


DISABLED   VOLUNTEER   SOLDIERS.  131 

Silver  quarter  dollar,  contributed  by  Wm.  Blair. 
Silver  half  dollar  from  John  White,  first  New  Jersey  vol- 
unteers. 

Five-dollar  Confederate  note  from  Major  J.  B.  Thomas. 

Here  Chaplain  Earnshaw  stepped  to  the  front 
with  trowel  in  hand,  remarking,  as  he  did  so,  that 
it  was  generally  customary  to  use  a  silver  trowel 
on  an  occasion  of  this  kind,  but  they  preferred 
the  one  held  in  his  hand,  which  was  owned  by 
James  McVey,  who  was  also  introduced,  when 
the  following  history  of  the  trowel  was  given : 
It  was  used  by  its  owner  in  laying  the  corner- 
stone of  the  Barnegat  light-house  and  the  one  at 
Cape  May,  and  also  the  one  at  Indian  River  in 
Florida.  It  was  also  used  by  the  owner,  who  was 
one  of  the  sappers  in  Senator  Baker's  brigade,  of 
California,  and  was  carried  by  its  owner  in  his 
knapsack  through  the  battle  of  Ball's  Blutff,  Vir- 
ginia. McVey  is  now  the  master-mason  of  this 
institution. 

The  audience  then  assembled  at  the  speakers' 
stand  in  the  adjoining  grove,  where  seats  had 
been  arranged  for  the  vast  multitude.  Here  Hon. 
L.  B.  Gunckel,  in  his  usual  happy  way,  made  a 
few  appropriate  remarks  by  way  of  first  drafting 
and  introducing  the  speakers. 

The  veterans,  having  gratified  their  hearts  and 
feasted  their  eyes  last  Fourth  of  July  by  the  pres- 
ence of  Mary  Lowell  Putnam,  were  determined 


132  THE  NATIONAL  HOME   FOR 

on  another  long  hoped  for  consummation — the 
erection  of  a  monument  to  mark  the  spot  where 
the  bones  of  the  brave  repose  in  the  Home  Ceme- 
tery. Ever  since  Decoration-day  two  years  ago 
this  cherished  plan  had  been  elaborated,  and  the 
ground  was  broken  for  the  occasion  on  Decoration- 
day  this  year.  It  lies  north  of  the  cemetery,  just 
beyond  the  brow  of  the  hill,  almost  in  speaking 
distance  from  the  central  stand.  Here  an  historical 
pillar  has  been  obtained  through  the  care  ot  Hon. 
L.  B.  Gunckel,  which  is  beautifully  appropriate — 
one  of  the  old  United  States  Bank  colonnades  from 
Philadelphia,,  a  handsome  column  ot  thirty  feet, 
which  has  been  selected  as  a  gift  from  the  general 
government  to  the  State  of  Ohio,  among  other 
states  similarly  remembered.  On  the  crest  of 
this  column,  erected  on  a  suitable  base,  will  be  a 
statue  of  the  volunteer  on  guard  pointing  to  the 
site  of  his  comrades  sleeping  under  the  green  bed- 
clothes of  the  soldiers'  tomb,  bedecked  with  gar- 
lands of  May. 

For  so  noble  an  object,  full  of  patriotic  associa 
tion,  is  it  any  wonder  that  governors  of  many 
states,  and  celebrated  generals  and  senators  from 
Washington,  and  soldiers  of  all  degree,  and  even 
some  who  wore  the  gray,  should  come  to  Dayton 
to  honor  the  Fourth  of  July  by  so  appropriate  a 
tribute  of  soldierly  feeling  ?  Is  it  any  wonder  that 


DISABLED   VOLUNTEER   SOLDIERS.  133 

our  own  Ohio  sent  thousands  to  view  the  grounds 
of  the  Home  on  this  day,  as  a  pilgrimage  more  to 
be  desired  than  that  paid  to  the  spot  where  our 
president  was  born,  by  hundreds  of  our  citizens. 

A  SOLDIER'S  FUNERAL. 

When  a  soldier  dies  the  flag  flies  not  proudly 
to  the  breeze,  but  droopingly  hangs  at  half-mast. 
Another  of  its  brave  defenders  is  dead,  and  to 
the  silent  grave  we  will  accompany  him.  The 
beautiful  hearse  used  at  the  funerals  was  built  at 
the  Home — the  wood- work  by  W.  G.  Chamberlain 
and  the  iron-work  by  mechanics  of  the  Home.  The 
casket  which  it  contains  is  covered  with  the  na- 
tional flag.  It  is  followed  by  a  funeral  escort 
marching  with  arms  reversed,  the  chaplain  in  at- 
tendance. The  band  plays  the  solemn  requiem, 
and  the  firing  party  discharges  three  volleys  over 
his  grave. 

"  He  sleeps  his  last  sleep ; 
He  has  fought  his  last  battle ; 
No  sound  can  awake  him 
To  glory  again." 

FIRE-BRIGADE  AND  WATER-SUPPLY. 

An  efficient  fire-brigade  is  in  complete  organiza- 
tion, and  they  have  a  very  handsome  steam  fire- 
engine  named  after  the  Hon.  L.  B.  Gunckel.  The 
supply  of  water  required  for  all  purposes  is  abun- 
dant. The  fire-engine  is  a  sixty-five  hundred 


134  THE  NATIONAL  HOME  FOR  % 

weight,  third-class  Amoskeag,  and  the  water  is 
supplied  by  a  Worthington  steam-pump.  The  en- 
gine is  always  in  readiness,  and  all  other  needful 
appliances,  such  as  hose,  fire-buckets,  etc.,  are  sup- 
plied to  the  barracks  to  meet  the  exigencies  of  a 
fire  should  one  occur.  The  fire-brigade  is  well  or- 
ganized and  fully  equipped,  and  has  on  several 
occasions  attracted  much  attention  when  it  has 
appeared  on  parade,  both  at  the  Home  and  in  the 
city  of  Dayton.  At  the  pump-house  is  a  Wor- 
thington steam-pump  capable  of  throwing  thirteen 
cubic  feet  of  water  per  minute,  or  twenty-two  tons 
per  hour,  which  is  employed  from  ten  to  twelve 
hours  daily  to  supply  the  camp,  making  an  aver- 
age of  two  hundred  and  forty-two  tons  of  water 
consumed  daily.  This  pump  is  worked  by  a  Root 
boiler  composed  of  twenty-four  three  and  a  half 
inch  pipes  nine  feet  long.  Forty  thousand  feet 
of  steam-pipe  are  needed  for  cooking  and  heating 
purposes.  Mr.  W.  G.  Crutchfield  is  the  efficient 
engineer  of  the  Home.  He  is  successor  to  Mr. 
Farrell,  now  in  South  America. 

DAY-SCHOOL. 

A  day-school  is  in  successful  operation  under 
the  direction  of  Miss  M.  J.  Eaton,  of  !N"ew  Hamp- 
shire. Miss  Eaton  has  had  charge  of  this  school 
seven  years ;  and  no  better  evidence  of  her  ability 


DISABLED   VOLUNTEER   SOLDIERS.  135 

is  required  than  that  which  is  furnished  in  the 
rapid  advancement  of  her  scholars,  some  ten  or 
twelve  of  whom  are  employed  as  teachers  in  dif- 
ferent parts  of  the  country.  The  labor  of  teach- 
ing persons  far  advanced  in  life  is  of  no  little 
magnitude ;  and  it  is  a  question  whether  any  male 
teacher  could  be  found  equal  to  the  task  of  adapt- 
ing himself  to  the  various  circumstances  and  con- 
dition of  these  men.  The  Board  of  Managers 
acted  wisely  in  making  selection  of  a  lady  who, 
by  a  continued,  patient,  persevering  effort  has 
surmounted  all  the  difficulties  supposed  to  attend 
the  instruction  of  men  who  have  passed  beyond 
the  confines  of  youth.  In  this  school  men  who 
have  lost  the  right  arm  are  taught  to  write  with 
the  left  hand.  Some  are  taught  book-keeping, 
and  others  still  prepared  for  teaching  school,  so 
that  they  go  out  in  the  world  again  and  earn 
their  own  living.  Others  are  learning  to  road — 
some  of  them  (colored  men)  having  to  commence 
at  the  alphabet.  Quite  a  number  of  them  have 
been  taught  telegraphing,  with  a  view  of  earning 
their  own  living  as  telegraph  operators ;  and  to 
facilitate  their  studies  as  well  as  to  connect  the 
Home  with  the  outside  world,  a  telegraph  line  h  ts 
been  erected  to  the  city.  At  the  present  ti:iu 
there  is  in  the  school  an  old  man  aged  sixty-nine 
years,  who  is  learning  to  read  and  write.  Miss 


13G  THE   NATIONAL    HOME   FOR 

Eaton  is  clearly  entitled  to  the  credit  of 
made  this  school  a  great  success,  and  to  her  be- 
longs the  honor.  The  Board  of  Managers  may 
indeed  be  congratulated  on  the  interest  they  have 
ever  -manifested  in  this  good  work. 

DENTIST  AND  BARBERS. 

There  is  connected  with  the  Home  a  dentistry, 
and  several  well-appointed  barber-shops. 
THE  BULLETIN-BOARD. 

The  bulletin-board,  on  one  of  the  corners  of  the 
barracks,  is  one  of  the  necessary  institutions  o; 
the  Home,  and  draws  its  little  crowd  of  curious 
readers  at  all  hours  of  the  day.  Upon  it  are  pla- 
carded notices  of  meetings,  entertainments,  etj., 
and  advertisements  of  lost  keys,  pocket-books, 
knives,  glasses,  and  an  endless  variety  of  other 
small  articles. 

POLICE  HEAD-QUARTERS. 

For  the  preservation  of  order,  the  enforcement 
of  regulations,  and  the  arrest  of  offenders,  there  is 
a  regularly  organized  police  force,  the  members 
of  which  are  designated  by  badges.  They  have 
an  established  head-quarters,  with  a  lieutenant  and 
sergeants,  who  together  with  subordinates  are  very 
efficient  and  prompt  in  the  performance  of  their 
several  duties.  This  force  is  under  the  command 
of  Lieutenant  Eliaa  J.  Beers. 


DISABLED   VOLUNTEER  SOLDIERS.  137 

THE  GUARD-HOUSE. 

The  guard-house  is  a  neat  and  pleasant  looking 
structure  without,  and  does  not  present  a  very  ap- 
palling aspect  within,  the  prisoners  being  provided 
with  the  same  amouut  and  quality  of  food  that 
they  receive  when  out  of  confinement.  Their  loss 
of  liberty  and  the  deprivation  of  the  privileges 
of  the  Home  are  all  the  privations  they  ex- 
perience. The  prisoners  consist  of  men  awaiting 
trial  for  offenses  committed,  and  others  under  sen- 
tence. In  most  cases  the  offenses  committed  are 
intoxication  and  absence  without  leave.  For  the 
first  offense  no  punishment  is  inflicted,  but  repe- 
titions are  dealt  with  according  to  their  frequency 
— the  infliction  of  a  fine  and  the  performance  of 
menial  labor.  Heinous  offenses  are  met  with 
condign  punishment,  ending  in  a  dishonorable 
discharge. 

STABLES  AND  CARRIAGE-HOUSE. 

In  the  vicinity  of  the  guard-house  are  three 
spacious  structures  built  in  an  appropriate  and 
tasteful  style  of  architecture.  These  comprise 
the  stables,  barn,  and  carriage-house,  which,  as 
respects  their  internal  arrangements,  are  complete 
in  every  particular.  They  present  a  picture  ot 
order  ana  cleanliness  worthy  the  attention  of 
visitors  who  may  feel  interested  in  such  matters. 


138  THE   NATIONAL   HOME   FOR 

FARM  AND  GARDEN. 

A  large  portion  of  the  grounds  are  under  culti- 
vation as  a  farm  and  garden,  from  which  great 
and  useful  crops  are  raised.  Men  who  are  able 
are  here  employed;  and  in  addition  to  following 
so  healthful  a  pursuit,  they  are  in  receipt  ot 
money  wages.  At  the  Central  Home  in  1874 
the  farm  products  amounted  to  §3,548.34,  and  the 
garden  products  to  §2,978.37.  Among  the  latter 
were  forty-six  and  a  half  bushels  of  beans,  eight 
hundred  and  sixty-one  bushels  of  beets,  two  hun- 
dred bushels  of  carrots,  six  thousand  nine  hundred 
and  thirty  heads  of  cabbage,  five  barrels  of  sauer- 
kraut, one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  twenty- 
seven  dozen  ears  of  green  corn,  two  hundred 
and  sixty-seven  dozen  bunches  of  celery,  five 
hundred  and  sixty-two  dozen  cucumbers,  four 
hundred  and  ten  bushels  of  onions,  two  hundred 
and  fifteen  bushels  of  potatoes,  seven  hundred  and 
fifty-three  and  three  fourth  gallons  of  pickles, 
eighty  bushels  of  parsnips,  fifty-eight  bushels  ot 
peas,  fifteen  thousand  six  hundred  and  twenty- 
four  stalks  of  rhubarb,  three  hundred  and  twenty- 
five  bushels  of  tomatoes,  and  one  thousand  seven 
hundred  and  seventy-six  cans  of  same,  two  hun- 
dred bushels  of  turnips,  besides  apples,  peaches, 
strawberries,  currants,  etc. ;  and  $608.25  were  de- 
rived from  the  sale  of  flowers  and  flower-plants. 


DISABLED   VOLUNTEER   SOLDIERS.  139 

Vk  -«.    I      /        y- 

THE  HOME  OF  THE  CHICKENS. 
One  of  the  attractive  features  of  the  farm  is  the  . 
"  chicken  paradise,"  for  to  these  valuable  and  de- 
serving creatures  it  is  truly  a  paradise.  On  the 
corner  of  the  orchard  stands  a  neat  white  cottage 
of  ornamental  design.  The  front  part  has  been 
fitted  as  a  residence  for  the  keeper,  while  the  other 
portions  are  divided  into  compartments  for  the 
comfortable  accommodations  of  the  feathered  in- 
mates. There  is  also  a  very  large  pigeon-house 
attached  to  the  roof.  A  spacious  poultry-yard, 
inclosed  with  tall  white  railings,  contains  minia- 
ture cottages  arranged  in  regular  lilies.  These 
present  a  pleasing  prospect  to  the  devoted  hen  as 
she  gathers  her  little  ones  together  and  quietly 
enters  her  peaceful  abode.  A  large  stock  of 
poultry,  embracing  every  variety,  is  raised  here. 

THE  APPLE-ORCHARD. 

This  orchard  having  the  advantage  of  age  is 
very  productive,  yielding  an  abundant  supply  for 
the  culinary  purposes  of  the  Home.  Large  crops 
of  both  fall  and  summer  apples  are  produced,  the 
principal  varieties  being  Bellflowers  and  Ramboes. 

THE  PEACH  AND  PEAR  ORCHARDS, 
Though  not  in  a  far  advanced  state  of  cultivation, 
already  yield  fair  crops  and  promise  future  abun- 
dance.  The  regularity  with  which  these  trees  have 


140  THE   NATIONAL   HOME    FOR 

been  planted  can  not  fail  to  make  a  favorable  im- 
pression on  the  mind  of  connoisseurs  in  such 
matters. 

THE  VINEYARD. 

The  young  vineyard  forms  a  pretty  picture. 
The  long  regular  lines  of  vines,  rich  in  foliage 
and  laden  with  fruit,  present  a  harmonious  con- 
trast with  the  adjoining  orchards.  During  the 
appropriate  season  the  inmates  are  liberally  sup- 
plied with  the  several  varieties  of  Concord,  Ives' 
seedling,  and  Isabella  grapes,  all  grown  in  this 
vineyard.  The  yield  of  small  fruit,  such  as  straw- 
berries, blackberries,  gooseberries,  currants,  etc., 
is  very  large. 

THE  VEGETABLE  GARDEN 

Is  a  work  of  beauty  and  excellence.  It  produces 
every  species  of  garden  vegetables  of  the  finest 
quality.  The  old  greenhouse  previously  men- 
tioned is  located  here.  It  is  now  used  as  a  can- 
ning-bouse, and  during  the  past  season  immense 
quantities  of  tomatoes,  catsup,  and  pickles  were 
put  up. 

FARM  AND  STOCK. 

The  superintendence  of  the  farm  and  stock  de- 
volves upon  Captain  L.  K.  Stroup,  a  gentleman  in 
every  way  qualified  for  the  position.  Captain 


NATIONAL  HOME  CHURCH. 


DISABLED   VOLUNTEER   SOLDIERS.  141 

Stroup's  military  record  is  one  of  which  he  may 
justly  be  proud. 

In  addition  to  his  service  as  a  private  soldier, 
and  as  an  infantry  officer  at  the  head  of  his  com- 
pany, he  was  detailed  by  General  George  Crook  to 
serve  on  his  staff,  showing  the  estimate  in  which 
that  distinguished  officer  held  him.  He  was  senior 
aid  to  General  Crook  in  the  battle  of  Floyd  Mount- 
ain, one  of  the  severest  battles  in  West  Virginia. 
He  also  served  a  period  on  the  staff  of  Brigadier- 
general  Duvall.  He  returned  to  his  command  at 
the  earnest  solicitation  of  his  company,  who  de- 
sired him  to  command  them.  No  soldier  in  the 
war  had  a  better  record  than  Captain  Stroup. 

Under  Captain  Stroup's  management  the  farm 
and  stock  department  have  been  productive  of 
the  most  satisfactory  results.  Upwards  of  two 
hundred  and  fifty  acres  of  land  are  under  suc- 
cessful cultivation,  and  the  annual  value  of  farm 
products  reaches  six  thousand  five  hundred 
dollars.  The  estimated  value  ot  stock  is  sixteen 
thousand  five  hundred  dollars.  The  following  are 
the  varieties  of  stock  raised  upon  the  Home  farm: 
Thoroughbred  short-horned  cattle;  thoroughbred 
AldiTney  cattle  ;  Poland  and  China  hogs;  thorough- 
bred Southdown  sheep ;  dairy  stock  ;  horses,  mules, 
and  oxen ;  deers,  buffaloes,  and  elks.  Premiums 
to  the  amount  of  §185  were  awarded  to  specimens 
11 


142  THE    NATIONAL   HOME   FOR 

of  stock  exhibited  at  the  Southern  Ohio  Fair  in 
1874. 

THE  DAILY  ROUTINE. 

At  sunrise  the  morning  gun  awakens  the  sleep- 
ers from  their  peaceful  slumbers ;  "  then  merrily 
sounds  the  bugle-horn."  Succeeding  the  reveille 
the  morning  ablution  is  performed,  and  then  at 
the  sound  of  the  bugle  all  proceed  to  the  great 
dining-hall.  Breakfast  over,  working  parties 
proceed  to  their  employment,  and  others  divide 
their  leisure  hours  according  to  their  inclination 
or  to  circumstances  that  may  present  themselves. 
At  nine  o'clock  the  bugle  sounds  the  sick-call, 
and  those  having  any  ailment  or  pain  to  complain 
of  may  call  upon  the  surgeon  and  receive  such 
attention  as  their  cases  may  require.  Dinner  at 
twelve ;  supper  at  six.  At  nine  o'clock  the  bugle 
sounds  the  tattoo,  when  lights  are  extinguished 
and  quiet  reigns  throughout  the  camp. 

MUSTER  AND  INSPECTION  DAY. 

This  occurs  once  a  month.  The  barracks  are 
put  in  a  state  of  perfect  cleanliness  and  apple-pie 
order,  and  all  are  expected  to  be  present  in  full 
uniform  and  answer  to  their  names.  On  one  ot 
these  occasions  a  good  joke  was  perpetrated, 
which  is  thus  related  by  one  of  the  Home  cor- 
respondents : 


DISABLED   VOLUNTEER  SOLDIERS.  143 

At  the  National  Asylum  at  Dayton,  on  muster  and  in- 
spection, which  occurs  once  a  month,  every  man  is  expected 
to  be  in  uniform ;  and  after  roll-call  Colonel  Brown,  the 
governor,  goes  along  the  line  and  questions  every  one  who 
is  not  so  clothed.  Some  have  for  excuse  that  they  have 
just  come  in  and  that  they  have  not  had  time  to  draw  them 
yet ;  others  that  they  are  at  the  tailor's  being  altered,  etc., 
which  excuses  elicit  various  remarks  from  the  colonel,  joc- 
ular or  otherwise — generally  the  latter.  On  inspection  the 
colonel  said  to  a  man  in  citizen's  clothes  :  "  Have  you  a 
uniform?"  "Yes,  sir."  "Where  is  it?"  "In  my  box, 
sir."  The  colonel  with  some  asperity,  "  Were  you  ever  a 
soldier?"  "  No,  sir."  Reply  with  more  vim  and  dignity: 

"Yes,  you  were,  sir;  you  were ,"  when  the  man  quickly 

interrupted  him  with,  "No,  sir;  I  was  a  sailor"     Exit  the 
colonel  (and  his  staff)  with  the  laugh  *'  reyther  agin  "  him. 

AUCTION  SALE. 

Occasionally  there  is  an  auction  sale  of  con- 
demned quartermaster's  stores  in  the  Home,  which 
is  largely  attended  by  citizens.  There  is  also  an 
auction  sale  held  several  times  during  the  year, 
which  is  largely  attended  by  the  inmates.  At 
this  sale,  which  usually  takes  place  in  the  evening, 
the  unclaimed  effects  of  men  who  have  died  in 
the  hospital  are  offered  for  sale  and  disposed  of 
to  the  highest  bidder,  the  governor  of  the  Home 
acting  as  auctioneer.  The  articles  consist  of  cloth- 
ing, pocket-books,  cutlery,  watches,  etc.  The 
bidding  is  lively  and  amusing,  and  the  usual  in- 
terchange of  jokes  that  characterize  the  city 
auctions  are  indulged  in  by  both  auctioneer  and 
bidders,  creating  great  merriment  for  the  time 
being. 


144  THE   NATIONAL   HOME   FOR 

ASSOCIATIONS  AT  THE  HOME. 

Associations  designed  to  promote  the  moral  and 
physical  welfare  of  the  men  of  the  Home  have 
been  well  organized  and  successfully  conducted. 

THE  HOME  BASE-BALL  CLUB. 

This  club  has  a  neat  uniform  consisting  of  white 
caps  and  shirts,  dark-blue  pants,  and  stockings 
with  cross  stripes  of  white  and  blue.  The  club 
has  played  some  very  successful  match  games  with 
clubs  from  the  city,  often  coming  out  winners. 

THE  HISTORICAL  AND  MONUMENTAL  SOCIETY. 

This  society  was  formed  by  the  veterans  of  the 
Home  upon  the  suggestion  and  assistance  of  Hon. 
L.  B.  Guuckel,  the  resident  manager,  and  its  of- 
ficers. The  objects  of  the  society  are  to  erect  a^ 
monument  on  these  grounds  in  order  to  perpetu- 
ate the  names  and  memories  of  the  men  who  have 
died  or  may  die  and  be  buried  in  the  asylum  cem- 
etery, and  also  to  collect  relics  of  every  battle-field 
of  the  late  war,  and  mementoes  of  the  men  who 
fought  the  battles;  and  last,  but  not  least,  to  col- 
lect, arrange,  and  preserve  the  materials  for  a 
history  of  the  institution.  One  of  the  results 
growing  out  of  the  organization  of  this  society  is 
the  beautiful  monument  which  now  adorns  the 
cemetery.  The  membership  is  not  confined  to 


DISABLED   VOLUNTEER   SOLDIERS.  145 

officers  and  inmates,  but  is  open  to  all  persons 
who  desire  to  join — male  or  female. 

GRAND  ARMY  OF  THE  REPUBLIC,  VETERAN  POST 
NO.  5. 

This  post  has  a  large  membership,  and  is  com- 
posed of  some  of  the  best  material  in  the  Home. 
The  organization  is  carried  on  with  a  great  deal 
of  energy  ;  and  its  appearance  on  parades,  at  fu- 
nerals, or  on  festive  occasions,  never  fails  to  elicit 
admiration.  Their  meetings  are  often  of  a  very 
interesting  character,  as  will  be  seen  from  the  fol- 
lowing sketch : 

"The  members  of  Veteran  Post  No.  5,  G.  A.  R.,  after 
their  usual  business  on  Monday  evening  was  concluded, 
stacked  arms  and  held  a  camp-fire  meeting  at  which  the 
scenes  so  familiar  to  old  soldiers  were  again  represented. 
Coffee-cooling,  pork,  hard-tack,  anecdote,  arigl  song  served 
to  bring  back  to  their  remembrance  many  such  evenings 
spent  in  the  front  when  all  was  '  quiet  on  the  line,'  but  where 
the  surroundings  were  not  quite  as  secure  as  they  were  found 
to  be  on  this  occasion. 

"  It  having  been  reported  to  Post  Commander  D.  F.  Gid- 
dinger  that  there  were  deserters  in  the  camp,  two  details 
were  made  by  him  to  secure  them,  resulting  in  the  capture 
of  comrades  Colonel  E.  F.  Brown  and  Captain  \y.  H.  Lough, 
who  were  brought  in  under  guard  and  made  to  contribute 
their  share  to  the  fuel  of  the  camp-fire,. 

"  Though  excellent  speeches  were  delivered  by  the  worthy 
ch'ef  cook,  Comrade  Jones,  Comrade  E.  F.  Brown,  ana 
Chaplain  Earnshaw,  the  free  and  easy  comfort  of  camp  life 
was  well  observed  and  the  amusement  kept  lively  by  songs 
and  repartee,  Comrades  Wearing  and  May  contributing 
largely  to  the  former.  It  is  intended  that  a  camp-fire  shall 
be  lighted  monthly,  to  which  the  members  of  neighboring 
posts  will  be  invited,  and  which,  if  as  successful  as  that  of 
last  evening,  will  add  much  to  the  attractions  which  the 
Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  has  for  all  old  soldiers." 


146  THE   NATIONAL   HOME   FOR 

GOOD  TEMPLARS. 

Lookout  Lodge  has  a  membership  of  over  two 
hundred,  and  is  considered  one  of  the  finest  lodges 
connected  with  the  order.  It  has  been  in  exist- 
ence for  the  past  eight  years,  and  has  been  in- 
strumental in  rescuing  many  a  veteran  from  a 
drunkard's  grave.  It  comprises  in  its  membership 
a  considerable  amount  of  intelligence,  and  its 
meetings  are  rendered  very  attractive  by  interest- 
ing literary  exercises. 

THE  GUARDIANS. 

This  organization  originated  in  the  Home  but 
is  conducted  on  a  somewhat  different  basis  from 
the  Good  Templars,  as  will  be  seen  from  its  plan 
of  operations. 

The  name  is  "The  Guardians,"  implying  that 
the  members  should  be  in  some  respect  guardians 
of  each  other,  and  influentially  conservators  of  gen- 
eral morals.  All  persons,  even  children  of  un- 
derstanding, are  eligible  to  membership.  The 
pledge  is  a  solemn  public  promise  to  abstain  from 
the  use  of  liquor  as  a  beverage,  also  from  the  buy- 
ing, selling,  or  making  of  any  and  all  liquors  that 
will  intoxicate,  and  to  aid  the  intemperate  in  ref- 
ormation and  repress  the  habit  of  imbibing  stimu- 
lating drinks.  The  officers  are  chosen  quarterly, 
by  ballot,  the  duties  being  as  in  similar  societies. 


DISABLED   VOLUNTEER   SOLDIERS.  147 

The  meetings  are  held  once  in  two  weeks,  on  Fri- 
day evening. 

Following  the  successful  example  of  the  Rev. 
Father  Theobald  Matthew,  the  obligation  may  be 
taken  for  a  limited  period,  that  is,  for  twelve  or 
six  months ;  the  permanent  members  take  it  for 
life,  avoiding  ceremony  and  formality.  The  mode 
of  address  is  by  calling  an  officer  or  member  "  mis- 
ter" (mutatis  mutandis,  as  to  ladies).  The  im- 
portant part  in  the  order  of  business  is  in  the 
entertainment,  the  meetings  being  always  public 
and  open.  This  consists  of  essays,  addresses,  de- 
bates, selections,  recitations,  some  "  feast  of  reason 
and  flow  of  soul,"  vocal  and  instrumental  musical 
performances,  after  which  new  members  will  be 
admitted, — the  ceremony  being  simple  and  brief, — 
then  general  business  and  adjournment. 

The  above  named  organizations,  it  is  almost 
needless  to  say,  have  the  hearty  approval  of  the 
Board  of  Managers  and  of  the  officers  of  the 
Home.  Chaplain  Earnshaw  has  devoted  himself 
unreservedly  to  the  advancement  of  the  interest 
of  the  two  temperance  organizations,  and  is  an 
active  member  of  both,  seldom,  if  ever,  absenting 
himself  from  any  of  the  meetings.  The  use  of 
intoxicating  liquors  in  the  Home  is  a  subject 
which  has  occasioned  the  Board  of  Managers 
much  concern,  as  wilfT)e  seen  from  the  following 


148  THE   NATIONAL   HOME   FOR 

extract  from  one  of  their  late  annual  reports,  which 
we  subjoin : 

"Were  it  not  for  the  existence  of  intoxicating  liquors  for 
sale  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  all  the  asylums, — which 
were  purposely  located  at  some  distance  from  cities,  so  that 
•the  men  might  not  be  led  into  temptation, — there  would  be 
no  more  difficulty  as  a  rule  in  the  management  of  the  sol- 
diers and  in  maintaining  discipline  by  the  officers  of  the 
institution  than  there  would  be  by  a  judicious  parent  in  the 
management  of  his  household. 

"  Indeed,  in  many  respects  the  soldiers  resemble  children, 
in  their  entire  dependence  on  those  to  whom  they  look  for 
orders  and  direction  ;  and  then  the  habit  of  discipline  in 
the  army  contributes  largely  to  the  cause  of  order  and  obe- 
dience to  rule.  From  nineteen  twentieths  of  the  soldiers  in 
the  asylum,  nothing  would  ever  be  heard  requiring  any  ex- 
ercise of  authority,  or  be  of  any  trouble  to  the  officers  of  the 
asylum,  were  it  not  for  this  besetting  sin  of  the  soldier;  in 
fact,  one  great  cause  of  the  disability — a  vice  perhaps  con- 
tracted in  the  army — comes  from  indulging  to  excess  in  in- 
toxicating liquors.  There  are  one-legged  and  one-armed 
men  who,  while  in  our  institution,  can  earn — and  if  they 
would  work  in  the  same  way  in  a  private  establishment  the 
employer  could  afford  to  pay  them — three  to  six  dollars  per 
day,  and  who  therefore  at  first  would  seem  hardly  to  come 
within  our  rules  as  "soldiers  so  disabled  as  to  be  unable  to 
obtain  a  living  or  support  themselves;  "  yet  these  same  men 
when  left  to  themselves  outside  in  one  fortnight  would  most 
generally  find  themselves  without  money,  with  even  the 
clothes  they  have  on  furnished  by  the  Government  sold, 
themselves  clothed  in  rags,  the  inmates  of  some  alms-house. 

"The  effect  of  intoxicating  liquors  upon  these  men  raises 
a  very  serious  and  difficult  problem  for  solution  in  the  gov- 
ernment of  the  institution.  What  shall  be  done  to  a  man 
who,  deliberately,  day  after  day  bursts  out  of  bounds  against 
orders,  tempted  by  the  intoxicating  stimulant  which  the 
harpies  who  keep  it  are  glad  to  sell  to  him  to  his  ruin  ? 
Shall  he  be  expelled  from  the  institution  at  once  and  forever 
for  violation  of  its  rules,  and  for  having  made  a  beast  ot 
himself  by  an  almost  criminal  indulgence,  or  shall  we  not 
rather  look  upon  this  mental  and  physical  condition  of  the 
soldier,  with  this  not  to  be  restrained  appetite  for  strong 
drink,  as  a  part  of  his  disability,  contracted  while  in  the 


DISABLED   VOLUNTEER   SOLDIERS.  149 

army  and  in  the  line  of  his  duty,  and  discipline  him  by 
confinement  for  his  own  good  until  the  liquor  can  be  got 
out  of  him  while  under  restraint,  and  still  keep  him  in  the 
asylum  because  of  his  disability,  applying  all  the  correctives 
and  incentives  which  we  can  throw  about  him  for  the  re- 
straint of  his  appetite  and  his  reform  ? 

"The  Board  as  a  rule  have  adopted  this  latter  course  to- 
ward these  unfortunate  men;  and  it  is  only  when  this  vice  ot 
drunkenness  is  complicated  with  other  vicious  habits  or  other 
vicious  acts,  so  as  to  make  the  possessor  of  it  otherwise 
dangerous,  criminal,  or  absolutely  so  bad  as  to  become  a 
disgrace  to  himself  and  the  institution,  that  we  have  not  re- 
tained the  soldier  so  afflicted  in  our  several  branches,  and 
only  discharged  him  dishonorably,  finally,  when  he  is  other- 
wise vicious  and  incurable." 

HOW  ANNIVERSARIES,  DAYS  OF  REJOICING,  ETC., 
ARE  OBSERVED  AT  THE  HOME. 

The  national  clays  of  rejoicing  and  thanksgiv- 
ing are  observed  at  the  Home  in  an  enthusiastic 
manner.  On  these  days  work  is  suspended  and 
an  extra  dinner  is  provided  for  the  inmates.  Each 
anniversary  of  the  organization  of  the  Home  is 
kept  in  the  same  way,  and  the  days  of  rejoicing 
are  usually  concluded  with  a  concert  at  Music 
Hall. 

THE  FOURTH  OF  JULY. 

In  no  section  of  the  country  is  the  nation's 
birth-day  celebrated  with  more  ardor  and  healthful 
patriotism  than  at  the  central  branch  of  the  na- 
tional homes.  Visitors  in  large  numbers  come 
from  all  sections  of  the  country  to  enjoy  the  fes- 
tivities, and  the  leading  journals  send  their  best 
reporters,  to  enable  them  to  present  to  their 


150  THE   NATIONAL   HOME    FOR 

readers  a  full  report  of  the  interesting  proceed- 
ings. From  these  reports  we  make  a  few  extracts 
relating  to  the  last  celebration  of  the  national  an- 
niversary which  transpired  at  the  Home : 

"At  early  sunrise  the  national  salute  fired  at  the  Soldiers' 
Home  sounded  throughout  the  entire  Miami  valley,  remind- 
ing as  it  awakened  the  slumbering  community  of  the  glorious 
day  they  were  to  celebrate,  and  of  the  universally  interesting 
programme  prepared  by  the  veterans  for  the  enjoyment  ot 
all.  Every  railroad  coming  into  the  city  brought  in  one  or 
more  heavily -loaded  excursion  trains,  and  by  six -o'clock  in 
the  morning  the  travel  toward  the  Home  began.  The  vari- 
ous street  railroads  leading  there  were  taxed  to  their  utmost 
capacity,  notwithstanding  a  large  number  of  extra  cars  had 
been  placed  on  for  the  occasion.  The  pikes  leading  to  the 
Home  from  all  directions  presented  one  mass  of  humanity, 
in  fact  every  style  of  vehicle  imaginable  was  brought  into 
requisition,  and  hundreds  were  traveling  on  foot,  the  recent 
heavy  rains  having  completely  laid  the  dust,  thus  making 
this  part  of  the  travel  more  pleasant,  while  it  also  gave  the 
lawns  and  foliage  an  exquisite  freshness,,  presenting  the 
Home  in  its  loveliest  aspect. 

"By  eight  o'clock,  the  hour  set  for  the  commencement  of 
the  day's  exercises,  the  crowd  by  far  exceeded  that  of  any 
previous  occasion  in  the  history  of  the  institution. 

"  The  programme  opened  with  the  amusing  and  laughable 
drill  of  '  The  Bummer  Brigade.'  This  occupied  about  one 
hour,  and  was  greatly  enjoyed  by  spectators.  At  the  con- 
clusion of  this  the  grand  review  of  the  veterans,  who  were 
drawn  up  in  lines  on  the  lawn  in  front  of  head-quarters, 
was  made  by  his  excellency  Governor  Noyes,  Hon.  T.  W. 
Ferry  of  Michigan,  Hon.  Stanley  Matthews  of  Ohio,  and 
a  large  number  of  invited  visitors.  These  lines  of  war-worn 
veterans — some  on  crutches,  others  with  one  arm  and  other- 
wise mangled, — was  an  impressive  spectacle. 

"  At  the  conclusion  of  the  review  the  formation  of  a  pro- 
cession began  in  the  following  order:  Home  Band,  grand 
marshal,  veterans  of  the  army  and  navy  and  escort,  presi- 
dent and  orator  of  the  day,  vice-presidents  and  invited 
guests,  ladies,  citizens  on  foot,  fire  company,  artillery  com- 
pany, followed  by  citizens  in  carriages,  etc. 

"The  procession  slowly  moved  to  the  city  of  the  dead, 


DISABLED   VOLUNTEER   SOLDIERS.  151 

which  is  situated  in  a  small  grove  just  west  of  the  hospital, 
where  sleep  the  last  sleep,  representing  almost  every  state  in 
the  Union,  several  hundred  veterans.  Upon  arriving  at  this 
truly  sad  yet  unusually  interesting  part  of  the  Home,  the 
band  discoursed  'America'  in  its  sweetest  strains.  Follow- 
ing this  the  Rev.  Mr.  Herman,  of  West  Alexandria,  Ohio, 
offered  up  a  most  fervent  prayer,  after  which  Governor 
Brown  introduced  the  orator  of  the  day. 

THE  AFTERNOON. 

"  It  was  hot  in  the  sun,  although  there  was  a  pleasant 
breere  going.  The  corridors  in  front  of  head-quarters  and 
the  row  of  barracks  and  Music  Hall  were  delightfully  cool 
and  pleasant.  Everybody  was  in  good  humor.  The  young 
girls  with  their  beaus  were  among  the  marked  features  ot 
the  scene.  They  promenaded  along  the  corridors,  visited 
the  ice-cream  saloons,  the  grotto,  the  greenhouse,  and  seemed 
to  enjoy  everything.  Sensible  people  who  had  passed  that 
interesting  period  of  flirtation  and  courtship  were  seated 
with  their  children  in  the  cool,  shady  places,  quietly  enjoying 
the  beautiful  scenes  within  reach  of  their  vision.  Everybody 
wore  a  satisfied  look,  as  if  their  visit  to  the  Home  thus  far  had 
brought  them  far  more  pleasure  than  they  had  anticipated. 

THE  OUTDOOR  SPORTS. 

"  f  he  ring  for  the  races  had  been  formed  on  the  lawn  in 
front  of  the  barracks.  A  cord  attached  to  stakes  marked  it 
definitely.  There  were  to  be  trials  of  speed  between  con- 
testants who  were  not  in  first-rate  condition  for  the  turf,  owing 
to  the  fact  that  one  leg  was  natural  and  the  other  artificial. 
Then  there  were  one-armed  veterans  who  were  to  contend 
for  the  prizes  to  be  awarded  to  the  fastest  men ;  but  these 
athletes  had  two  good  legs,  and  the  absent  arms  hadn't  much 
to  do  with  running,  save  as  pendulums  to  swing  the  racers 
forward.  Then  there  were  races  for  men  on  crutches  and 
men  in  sacks,  and  men  blindfolded  with  wheelbarrows  to 
trundle.  Of  racing  there  was  a  variety  of  damaged  01 
hampered  humanity,  which  covered  all  possible  and  impos- 
sible conditions  of  success,  so  far  as  speed  was  concerned. 

THE   INTEREST   MANIFESTED. 

"The  oblong  ring  in  which  these  variegated  races  were  to 
take  place  was  surrounded  by  deeply  interested  spectators 


152  THE    NATIONAL   HOME   FOR 

long  before  the  sports  commenced.  The  American  appetite 
for  fun  is  strong.  There,  around  that  rope,  were  a  thousand 
or  more  men  and  women,  boys  and  girls,  standing  three 
deep,  awaiting  the  coming  athletes.  The  sun  was  shining, 
and  it  was  hot  of  course;  but  for  more  that  an  hour  those 
who  had  'good  places  '  stood  fast,  waiting  for  the  contestants. 
It  was  a  manifestation  of  endurance  worthy  of  veteran  sight- 
seers. Others  more  thoughtful  and  prudent  of  their  comfort 
were  seated  in  chairs  upon  the  flat  portions  of  the  roofs  and 
porticoes,  sheltered  from  the  sun's  rays  by  the  towering 
Mansard  behind  them.  The  anxiety  to  get  good  places  a 
full  hour  before  the  races  were  to  begin  showed  a  degree  of 
enterprise  which  was  hardly  expected,  even  on  the  ninety-sev- 
enth anniversary  of  the  nation's  birth.  The  compensation 
for  this  exposure  to  the  heat  was  afforded  by  the  band,  which 
from  its  pagoda  diffused  enlivening  strains  of  music  over 
the  beautiful  lawn. 

THE   CROWD   INCREASING. 

"Just  at  this  time  there  was  a  large  influx  of  people  from 
the  city  and  surrounding  country.  Carriages,  buggies,  and 
wagons  were  seen  in  every  direction  making  a  tour  of  the 
grounds.  There  were  at  that  time  nearly  rive  thousand  visitors 
enjoying  the  pleasant  sights  which  met  their  view  on  every 
side. 

THE   MULE-RACE. 

"This  was  the  first  entertainment  on  the  programme  of 
sports  for  the  afternoon.  The  animals  were  in  fine  condition 
and  the  riders  enthusiastic.  There  was  no  garish  display  in 
the  trappings  of  these  sure-footed  animals.  The  jockeys 
made  no  show  of  costume  except  that  which  was  worn  on 
week-days.  Four  started.  The  mules  all  'got  off  well,'  as 
the  patois  of  the  turf  has  it,  and  after  an  exciting  contest 
for  the  lead,  came  down  the  home  stretch  in  a  string,  mak- 
ing the  mile  inside  of  ten  minutes,  They  were  lustily 
cheered  by  the  crowd  as  they  'passed  under  the  wire'  at 
head-quarters.  The  first  prize,  $5.  was  awarded  to  George 
W.  Scott;  second,  $4,  to  Frank  Cox;  third.  $2,  to  Henry 
Dekel;  fourth,  $i,  to  George  Parris. 

THE   SPORTS   OF   THE    RING. 

"The  referees  for  the  sports  were  Colonel  D.  B  Corwin, 
Samuel  Stevenson,  Esq.,  and  Major  J.  B.  Thomas.  It  is 


DISABLED   VOLUNTEER   SOLDIERS.  153 

universally  conceded  that  they  discharged  their  arduous 
duties  with  dignity  and  fairness. 

"  One-armed  veterans  made  the  first  foot-race.  The  loss 
of  an  arm  placed  them  a  little  out  of  balance,  but  they  made 
first-rate  use  of  their  legs.  William  Blair  won  the  first  prize, 
$4,  and  R.  H.  Jones  the  second,  $2.50. 

"The  second  race,  for  men  with  one  leg  off  below  the 
knee,  was  a  curious  affair.  One  of  the  contestants  wore  an 
artificial  leg,  and  the  other  scudded  with  a  bare  pole.  He 
stumped  it.  The  ground  had  been  softened  by  the  rain,  and 
before  he  had  reached  the  center  of  the  track  the  stump 
sunk  into  the  mellow  sod  and  he  pitched  forward  measuring 
his  length  on  the  grass.  He  regained  his  perpendicular  in 
an  instant  after  he  had  stopped  sliding  and  dashed  forward 
at  a  killing  pace,  but  his  antagonist  came  in  ahead  on  an 
easy  trot,  magnanimously  slackening  his  speed  when  his 
opponent  went  to  grass.  The  first  prize  was  awarded  to 
I.  W.  Fat,  $4,  and  the  second,  $i,  to  the  stumper,  John 
Baker. 

"The  race  'for  men  with  leg  off  above  the  knee,'  as  the 
programme  has  it,  was  well  contested,  and  Silas  Crowell 
won  the  first  prize,  £5,  and  William  H.  Miller,  second,  $3. 

'•The  sack-race  was  a  fanciful  affair.  The  contestants, 
who  were  tied  up  in  sacks,  from  which  projected  outlandish 
masks,  looked  as  if  there  was  no  speed  in  them,  although 
there  was  plenty  of  bottom — in  the  sack.  It  was  an  awk- 
ward run  ;  and  George  Parris  won  the  first  prize,  $4,  and 
James  Jackson  the  second,  $2. 

"  The  wheelbarrow  race  was  one  of  the  most  amusing  of 
the  series.  The  veterans  who  propelled  these  useful  imple- 
ments were  blindfolded.  The  barrows  were  to  be  wheeled 
against  the  flag-staff  at  the  opposite  limit  of  the  inelosure 
from  which  the  start  was  made.  Among  the  starters  some 
made  for  the  staff,  while  others  only  circled  around  the  im- 
mediate vicinity  from  which  they  started,  straggling  at  times 
into  the  crowd  at  the  ropes.  Of  those  who  got  the  right  di- 
rection, William  Gleason,  a  blind  man,  struck  his  wheel 
against  the  staff,  and  won  the  prize,  $4.  Eugene  Smith  took 
the  second  money,  $2. 

"Then  came  striking  the  bottle.  It  was  an  empty  bottle 
of  course.  If  it  had  been  full  the  blindfolded  veterans  would 
have  struck  it  with  more  certainty.  The  magnetism  of  the 
exciting  fluid  would  have  drawn  the  rods  to  the  right  spot,  as 
the  pure  water  far  below  the  surface  attracts  the  witch-hazel 
as  it  lies  upon  the  hands  of  the  skilled  worker.  There  were 


154  THE  NATIONAL   HOME   FOR 

a  good  many  awkward  blows  given  by  the  blindfolded  con- 
testants ;  but  a  few  of  them  struck  the  bottle,  empty  as  it 
was.  William  Gleason,  William  C.  Smith,  Charles  Linden, 
James  McCarin,  and  Thomas  Heffner  took  the  prize  of  $i 
each  for  successful  strikes. 

"The  classical  feat  of  the 'goose-hunt '  was  the  next  in 
order  according  to  the  programme;  but  by  this  time  the 
sky  was  overcast,  and  the  clouds,  as  if  sorrowing  for  the  in- 
termission which  shut  out  the  '  goose-hunt,'  were  dropping 
tears  of  contrition  all  over  the  multitude  on  the  lawn.  Hardly 
appreciating  the  grief  of  the  upper  strata,  the  crowd  dispersed 
for  shelter  under  the  porticoes,  mourning  the  deprivation  of 
the  pleasure  which  was  promised  by  the  'goose-hunt.' 

THE  NIGHT-BLOOMING  CEREUS. 

"  Many  persons  cheerfully  remained  at  the  Home  after 
nightfall  to  see  the  promised  opening  of  the  night-blooming 
ceres  at  the  conservatory.  It  was  regurlarly  advertised  in 
placards  all  over  the  grounds,  and  it  came  off  in  accordance, 
with  the  programme.  Mr.  Mundt  understands  the  peculiar 
habits  of  the  ceres.  He  can  tell  a  day  beforehand  that  it  is 
the  pleasure  of  her  ladyship  to  expand  and  display  her  lux- 
uriant glories,  and  he  prints  it  accordingly.  So  the  crowd 
gathered  around  the  night-bloomer,  and  she  came  to  time 
without  any  hesitation.  The  people  watched  the  swelling 
bud  until  it  expanded  to  the  full  proportions — an  immense 
lilly  a  foot  or  more  in  circumference  at  the  outer  lines  of  its 
beautiful  leaves ;  but  of  the  depth  to  its  delicious  recesses, 
from  which  were  exhaled  the  verbena-scented  fragrance,  no 
one  dared  to  take  account.  It  was  a  sacred  fount  from  which 
were  wafted  the  odors  of  'Araby  the  Blest.' 

THE  FIRE-WORKS. 

"  The  rain  had  filled  the  sod  with  moisture,  and  the  air 
was  charged  with  dampness.  It  was  believed  that  fire-works 
could  not  be  a  success  with  such  unfavorable  surroundings. 
But  Colonel  Brown  was  not  to  be  deterred  by  any  such  draw- 
backs. He  said  that  fire-works  had  been  procurred  for  the 
celebration  of  the  Fourth,  and  that  in  spite  of  all  the  unfa- 
vorable influence  outside  they  should  accomplish  just  what 
was  intended  by  their  purchase.  These  old  soldiers  do  not 
take  stock  in  discouraging  circumstances.  They  will  not  suc- 
cumb to  what  other  people  consider  impossibilities.  So  the 
colonel  ordered  the  boxes  containing  the  fire-works  to  be 


,- 1 Y BBS  ITT  ' 


INTERIOR  OF  CHURCH, 


DISABLED   VOLUNTEER   SOLDIERS.  155 

hauled  down  to  the  locality  below  the  lakes,  where  the  frames 
had  been  erected  upon  which  to  burn  them.  And  then,  at 
the  appointed  hour,  they  were  offered  up.  And  such  a  dis- 
play! It  is  unnecessary  to  go  into  detail.  In  fact  there  is 
not  room  to  do  it.  Nothing  so  brilliant  has  ever  been  wit- 
nessed here.  The  rockets,  which  ever  and  anon  darted 
skyward,  were  the  very  perfection  of  skylarkers,  some  of 
them,  as  they  burst  in  the  upper  air,  resembled  in  the  scat- 
tering of  their  fires  the  tail  of  an  immense  peacock,  with  its 
indefinable  treasures  of  silver  figures  and  jets,  and  its  fringes 
of  gold.  Others  would  cast  into  the  air  a  magnificent  pro- 
fusion of  golden  rain.  The  'set  pieces,'  it  is  not  possible  to 
describe  ;  science  vied  with  patriotism  in  the  fiery  disclosures 
which  followed  the  touch  of  the  torch  to  the  explosive  ma- 
terial. It  was  a  grand  finale  to  the  entertainments  of  the 
day. 

THE   DINING-HALL  AND   REFRESHMENT-ROOMS. 

"Every  arrangement  was  made  at  the  Home  for  the  en- 
tertainment of  visitors  who  remained  through  the  day  and 
were  not  prepared  for  a  picnic.  Music  Hall  was  converted 
into  a  dining-room,  and  a  comfortable  meal  could  be  had 
there  at  any  time  during  the  day.  Besides  this,  there  were 
rooms  and  rustic  cottages  at  which  ice-cream  and  delicacies 
of  that  sort  could  be  had  on  call. 

THE  CLOSING  SCENE. 

"After  the  fire-works  there  was  a  general  desire  to  get 
home;  but  to  do  that  was  not  an  easy  matter,  except  for 
those  who  had  their  own  conveyances.  The  dummy  train 
went  out  full,  crowded,  jammed  with  people,  and  continued 
its  trips  till  a  late  hour.  The  Third  Street  line  of  cars  could 
not  carry  the  passengers  into  town  as  fast  as  the  dummy 
brought  them  to  the  station.  The  upshot  was  that  at  mid- 
night they  were  compelled  to  walk  from  the  station,  and 
some  all  the  way  from  the  Home  to  their  residences  in  the 
city. 

RECEIPTS   FOR   THE   DAY. 

"At  the  gates,  $1,100.65;  refreshments,  etc.,  $651.97.  Mak- 
ing a  total  of  $1,752.62.  The  net  proceeds,  it  is  believed, 
will  complete  the  work  on  the  monument,  making  it  all 
ready  for  the  bronze  figures  by  which  it  is  to  be  surmounted. 
So  that  the  celebration  of  the  Home  was  a  complete  success 
in  every  respect." 

12 


156  THE   NATIONAL  HOME    FOR 

WASHINGTON'S  BIRTH-DAY. 

Washington's  birth-day  is  usually  celebrated  at 
the  Home  with  great  spirit.  On  a  late  occasion 
a  festive  banquet  was  prepared  at  twelve  o'clock, 
noon,  and  it  was  a  commemorative  report  which 
served  to  fix  the  event  on  the  minds  of  the  hun- 
dreds of  veterans  who  sat  down  to  the  well  and 
luxuriously  filled  board.  At  two  o'clock  the  fire- 
department  was  marshaled  out  in  parade.  The 
magnificent  steam  fire-engine  was  drawn  by  four 
splendid  horses  handsomely  caparisoned,  under 
command  of  its  officers,  and  au  excellent  hose 
company  under  the  direction  of  its  officers.  The 
entire  force,  elegantly  uniformed,  were  brought 
out  for  inspection,  and  were  reviewed  by  the 
officers  of  the  institution.  Their  companies  formed 
a  very  attractive  pageant,  and  the  force  was  very 
much  admired.  The  immense  dining-hall  of  the 
institution  was  put  in  the  gayest  possible  holiday 
attire  for  the  commemorative  occasion.  The 
large  platform  at  the  west  end  of  the  hall  was 
overhung  with  [miniature  flags  and  innumerable 
stars.  Muskets  were  stacked  at  either  end  of  the 
line  of  chairs,  and  these  were  flanked  by  other 
insignia  of  war.  A  piano  occupied  a  prominent 
position  on  the  platform,  and  the  elevation  was 
flanked  by  huge  cannon.  The  entire  hall  was 
ornamented  with  handsome  pictures,  and  every- 


DISABLED   VOLUNTEER   SOLDIERS.  157 

where  flags  fluttered ;  and  the  stars  of  silver  and 
gold  glittered  in  every  direction,  while  the  blue 
stars  decked  the  walls  and  support  to  the  ceiling. 
Everywhere  in  the  ample  hall  were  evidences  of 
the  festive  character  of  the  celebration ;  and 
prominent,  overlooking  the  entire  audience,  were 
the  portraits  of  George  and  Martha  Washington. 
Altogether,  it  was  a  magnificent  place.  At  three 
o'clock  the  admirable  band  of  the  Home  called 
together  the  vast  audience  by  their  charming 
music.  Hon.  L.  B.  Gunckel,  local  manager,  pre- 
sided. The  musical  programme  was  extended  by 
a  song  from  the  German  glee-club.  Chaplain  Van 
Home  invoked  the  divine  blessing  upon  the  au- 
dience and  the  occasion.  The  English  glee-club 
followed  in  an  admirable  song,  Professor  Fisher 
being  musical  director.  Major-general  T.  J.  Wood 
was  then  introduced,  and  addressed  the  audience 
at  some  length.  He  was  followed  by  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Colby  and  the  Hon.  L.  B.  Gunckel,  and 
finally  all  ended  in  a  feast  of  reason  and  a  flow 
of  soul. 

DECORATION-DAY. 

The  annual  decorative  ceremonies  in  honor  of 
the  memory  of  those  who  after  nobly  defending 
the  country  in  the  field  had  passed  from  earth  and 
the  peaceful  and  beautiful  home  furnished  by  a 
grateful  nation,  are  striking  and  appropriate.  As 


158  THE   NATIONAL   HOME    FOR 

these  ceremonies  vary  but  little  in  their  general 
character  the  following  synopsis  from  a  newspa- 
per report  will  suffice : 

"Every  preparation  had  been  made  by  Colonel  Brown  for 
successfully  carrying  into  effect  the  ceremonies  of  decora- 
tion-day. The  morning  was  delightful.  And  as  the  hour 
arrived  for  forming  the  procession,  the  lines  of  the  veterans 
in  blue  were  arranged  with  military  precision,  and  the  dif- 
ferent companies  stationed  in  various  positions,  so  as  to  take 
their  places  in  the  procession  in  proper  order.  There  was 
no  stir,  no  noise,  no  confusion.  All  was  quiet,  orderly,  and 
solemn.  When  the  order  was  given  to  form  the  procession 
the  band  moved  forward ;  then  came  a  detail  of  men  with 
muskets  and  accouterments,  whose  duty  it  was  to  fire  the 
funeral  volley  over  the  graves  in  the  cemetery;  then  the 
orator  of  the  day  and  a  portion  of  the  officers  of  the  Home, 
the  representatives  of  the  press,  and  other  invited  guests. 
After  these  the  companies  marched  into  line  in  accordance 
with  the  programme.  They  proceeded  to  the  beautifully 
located  cemetery  of  the  Home,  where  the  exercises  which 
had  been  inaugurated  by  Veteran  Post  No.  5,  G.  A.  R.,  were 
most  impressively  performed. 

"  The  procession  formed  a  hollow  (oblong)  square  around 
the  compact  little  cemetery,  the  officers  of  the  asylum,  ora- 
tors, reporters,  and  invited  guests,  with  the  Excelsior  Mu- 
sical Society  of  Cincinnati  occupying  the  center.  The 
cemetery  contains  five  rows  of  graves,  with  about  fifty  in  a 
row,  each  with  a  neat  head-board  painted  white,  containing 
the  name,  age,  and  rank  of  the  occupant.  On  one  we  no- 
ticed the  words,  '  Name  unknown.'  Poor  fellow !  It  was 
enough  that  he  wore  the  national  uniform  and  marched  and 
fought  under  the  flag  of  his  country.  Though  unknown,  he 
was  not  unhonored,  for  he  shared  with  his  silent  comrades 
the  gratitude  and  sympathy  of  those  who  gathered  there  to 
strew  flowers  upon  the  hallowed  spot. 

"  It  was  a  solemn  and  beautiful  sight  to  look  upon  such  an 
assemblage.  While  there  were  orderly  ceremonies  to  be 
gone  through  with,  no  one  could  look  upon  the  serious  and 
sympathetic  faces  surrounding  the  cemetery  without  feeling 
that  it  was  not  mere  idle  formality,  but  real  and  genuine 
heart-work. 

"The  order  of  exercises  were  opened  by  Chaplain  Earn- 


DISABLED   VOLUNTEER  SOLDIERS.  159 

shaw  with  an  appropriate  prayer  to  the  God  of  armies  and 
battles  and  nations,  invoking  the  divine  blessing  npon  all 
present.  Then  followed  the  memorial  address  of  Chaplain 
Link,  of  Veteran  Post  No.  5,  G.  A.  R. 

"The  strewing  of  flowers,  being  the  next  thing  in  order, 
was  done  by  a  detail  of  one-armed  soldiers,  who  formed 
along  one  side  with  their  baskets,  and  marching  across  the 
cemetery  in  military  order,  covered  each  grave  with  fragrant 
memorials.  It  was  indeed  a  touching  sight. thus,  as  it  were, 
to  hold  communion  with  unseen  comrades  through  the  un- 
seen fragrance  of  flowers.  It  was  the  language  of  the  heart 
speaking  louder  and  better  than  the  tongue. 

"The  memorial  salute  from  a  detail  of  veterans,  three 
times  repeated,  was  another  mode  of  expressing  the  respect 
of  the  living  over  the  sleeping  comrades  beneath  the  sod. 
These  exercises  were  interspersed  with  sweet,  solemn  music 
from  the  members  of  the  Excelsior  Musical  Society,  of  Cin- 
cinnati, and  a  dirge  from  the  Home  Band. 

"The  oration  was  delivered  from  a  platform  adjoining  the 
cemetery  by  Major-general  M.  F.  Force,  whose  eloquent  and 
touching  words  deeply  impressed  all  within  the  sound  of  his 
voice." 

In  this  connection  it  is  proper  that  we  should 
mention  that  for  some  time  past  it  has  been  the 
custom,  previous  to  the  appointed  day,  for  the 
ladies  of  the  Home  and  of  Dayton  to  furnish 
committees  to  carry  out  the  purposes  of  (Jecora- 
tion.  This  beautiful  tribute  to  the  memories  of 
the  dead  forms  one  of  the  great  days  at  the  Home, 
and  a  very  large  number  of  visitors  from  the  city 
and  neighborhood  take  part  in  the  proceedings, 

ANNUAL  MEETING  OF  THE  BOARD  OF  MANAGERS. 

It  is  said  that  there  never  was  anything  so  brill- 
iant as  the  reception  given  to  'the  Board  of  Man- 
agers on  the  evening  of  September  27, 1872.  Unlike 


160  THE    NATIONAL  HOME   FOR  * 

ordinary  illuminations  of  rejoicing,  the  occasion, 
the  place,  and  the  surrounding  circumstances  of 
the  Central  Home  illumination  make  it  impossible 
to  describe  the  scene  of  its  heart-felt  effect.  This 
much,  however,  may  be  said,  that  the  dazzling 
splendor  of  ^n  eastern  romance  or  the  poet's 
dream  of  the  region  of  fairy- land  are  pale  before 
the  reality  of  beauty  then  exhibited.  Many  were 
there  who  had  witnessed  fetes  and  illuminations 
in  the  palace  gardens  of  the  crowned  heads  of 
Europe,  and  they  had  no  hesitation  in  declaring 
that  the  scene  at  the  Home  in  beauty  and  splendor 
excelled  them  all ;  and  there  is  no  doubt  that  it  is 
unrivalled  in  the  world's  history. 

There  was  not  a  cloud  in  the  sky,  and  it  was  so 
dark  that  all  the  effects  of  light  upon  a  broad  and 
variegated  landscape  were  fairly  developed.  Every 
building  at  the  Home  was  dazzlingly  illuminated 
with  bright  lights,  Chinese  lanterns,  and  glitter- 
ing lamps.  All  around  the  lawns,  the  various 
avenues,  the  grottoes,  springs,  and  lakes,  there 
were  rows  of  blazing  lights,  and  each  sheet  of 
water  multiplied  the  illumination  most  brilliantly. 
The  "Martindale  Conservatory"  was  ablaze  of 
light.  Over  on  the  slope  opposite  the  veterans 
had  inscribed  in  letters  of  living  light  the  initials 

U.  S.  G. 
L.  B.  G. 


DISABLED    VOLUNTEER   SOLDIERS.  161 

Which  everybody  could  read  as  they  ran.  Stand- 
ing on  the  crown  of  the  hill  which  looked  down 
into  the  garden  it  appeared  that  the  conservatory 
was  blooming  with  blazing  meteors,  and  that  the 
lakes  were  flaming.  Governor  Brown's  quarters 
seemed  to  be  on  fire,  and  the  barracks  on  the  main 
avenues,  the  head- quarters,  and  the  hospital,  were 
as  brilliant  as  a  glaring  illumination  could  make 
them.  The  circle  in  front  of  the  hospital  was  a 
glare  of  fire.  The  lakes  were  lurid  and  reflected 
back  the  light  of  thousands  of  blazing  torches. 
Everywhere  you  went  there  was  a  glow  of  glit- 
tering beauty. 

ARRIVAL    OF   THE    MANAGERS. 

General  Butler,  General  Martindale,  General 
Osborn,  General  Cavender,  Judge  Bond,  Ex-gov- 
ernor Smythe,  and  Dr.  Wolcott  arrived  at  the 
northern  gate  of  the  Home  about  8:30  p.  M.,  es- 
corted by  Local  Manager  Gunckel.  They  were 
received  by  the  band  and  some  hundreds  of  vet- 
erans, facing  inward  on  Main  Avenue,  each 
veteran  bearing  a  torch.  Then  the  battery  fired 
the  customary  salute,  and  the  procession  moved 
around  the  grounds  through  the  various  drives, 
admiring  the  brilliant  spectacle.  At  the  bridge 
on  the  east  side,  by  the  lakes,  the  old  bugler 
sounded  a  salute,  to  which  the  band  on  the  hill 


162  THE    NATIONAL   HOME  FOE 

responded  eloquently.  The  people  meantime' 
were  promenading  all  through  the  gayly-lighted 
grounds,  enjoying  the  glittering  scenes,  which  were 
made  more  beautiful  by  the  variegated  fires — red, 
white,  and  blue, — which  reflected  a  sort  of  weird 
light  upon  the  changing  foliage  of  autumn  in  the 
groves. 

HEAD-QUAKTERS. 

There  was  a  stand  erected  in  front  of  head- 
quarters, and  there  the  procession  halted.  Colonel 
Brown,  with  his  usual  promptitude,  called  the 
meeting  to  order,  the  veterans  with  their  torches 
and  a  large  concourse  of  people  assembling  in 
front,  and  many  ladies  and  a  number  of  strangers 
occupying  the  porch  of  head-quarters. 

Colonel  Brown  then  delivered  an  appropriate 
address  ot  welcome  to  the  Board  of  Managers, 
which  was  responded  to  by  General  Butler. 

General  Martindale,  of  New  York,  followed  in 
a  brief  and  beautiful  speech,  referring  to  his  com- 
rades who  had  served  in  the  army  with  him. 

Judge  Bond,  of  Maryland,  followed  in  one  of 
his  happiest  impromptu  speeches. 

Ex-governor  Smythe,  of  New  Hampshire,  made 
a  few  remarks,  giving  something  of  a  history  of 
the  Dayton  Home,  which  were  heartily  applauded. 

Dr.  Wolcott  returned  his  thanks  for  the  inter- 
view, and  General  Cavender  indorsed  what  was 


DISABLED   VOLUNTEER   SOLDIERS.  163 

said  by  other  speakers.  General  Osborn  gave  a 
promise  to  the  ear  which  he  broke  to  the  heart. 
Everybody  knew  that  he  could  make  a  big  speech, 
and  he  started  out  that  way  when  he  suddenly 
concluded,  disappointing  everybody.  Mr.  Gunckel 
was  frequently  called  but  excused  himself. 

After  the  speaking  the  audience  was  dismissed, 
when  the  managers  and  other  guests — after  ten 
o'clock — made  a  night  inspection  of  the  illumin- 
ated grottoes  and  gardens,  and  then  everybody  re- 
sponded to  taps. 

At  a  subsequent  meeting  of  the  Board  of  Man- 
agers the  Rev.  Richard  Smythe,  D.  D.,  of  Ireland, 
now  a  member  of  parliament,  made  the  following 
speech  : 

"  Mr.  President  and  gentlemen  of  the  Board  of  Managers 
of  this  institution,  soldiers,  and  citizens  of  America : — I  thank 
you  very  sincerely  for  the  courtesy  which  has  been  extended 
to  me  in  asking  me  to  take  ever  so  humble  a  part  in  the 
proceedings  of  this  festive  occasion.  But  I  can  assure  the 
gentleman  who  has  introduced  me  to  you  that  he  has  brought 
an  old  house  over  his  head  in  presenting  me  as  a  substitute, 
and  I  am  well  persuaded  that  he  will  never  repeat  that  ex- 
periment during  the  term  of  his  natural  life,  after  he  has 
heard  the  statements  which  I  have  to  make.  [A  laugh.] 

"  I  have  had  to  travel  four  thousand  miles  to  stand  upon 
this  platform,  and  I  am  about  that  distance  from  my  home, 
and  I  think  the  orthodox  feeling,  in  my  mind,  ought  to  be 
that  I  am  a  stranger — I  am  a  foreigner  at  any  rate.  But 
somehow  I  mnst  make  this  confession,  that  under  the  call 
and  enjoying  the  hospitalities  of  my  kind  and  respected 
friends,  Doctor  and  Mrs.  McDermont,  and  enjoying,  also, 
as  I  have  done  since  I  came  here,  the  courteous  offices  of 
the  governor  and  chaplain  and  others  in  this  Home,  I  must 


164  THE   NATIONAL    HOME   FOB 

admit  that  I  feel  just  about  as  much  at  home  as  any  other 
disabled  volunteer  in  this  room.  You  have  made  me  feel 
so,  and  I  do  not  regret  that  I  feel  so. 

"  I  have  witnessed  the  greatness  of  your  country  from 
Sandy  Hook  to  the  Clift  House  beyond  San  Francisco,  for 
it  is  some  miles  beyond  that  city,  and  every  new  phase  of 
American  progress  and  resources  has  struck  me  with  a  new 
wondtr.  But  my  admiration,  I  confess,  has  culminated  in 
witnessing  the  splendid  comforts  that  have  been  provided 
here  for  the  men  who  bear  the  scars  and  wounds  which  they 
have  received  in  fighting  the  good  and  loyal  fight  for  their 
country.  During  the  great  conflict  of  the  American  war  ten 
years  ago  I  always  thought — for  I  thought  a  great  deal  about 
it  then ;  I  was  ten  years  younger  than  I  am  now,  and  per- 
haps my  thinking  powers  were  greater  than  they  are  now — 
I  used  to  think  about  that  American  conflict  that  it  repre- 
sented two  things.  It  represented  a  policy  and  a  principle, 
and  with  both  of  these  I  sympathized^  The  policy  was 
Union  and  the  principle  was  liberty.  [Applause.]  The 
policy  I  always  thought  perfectly  defensible — a  policy  that 
could  be  defended  not  only  by  revolutionary  Americans,  but 
by  all  who  were  able  to  appreciate  true  policy,  that  this  great 
country  should  remain  one  and  indivisible.  But  I  see  in  it 
something  even  more  elevated  than  that — the  principle  of 
liberty  for  all  the  people  of  this  country,,  the  object  being  the 
realization  of  that  which  had  been,  I  think  to.  some  extent, 
before  that  time  only  a  theory  that  all  men  are  bom  free  and 
equal.  And,  Mr.  President,  I  had  thought  this,  that  the  na- 
tion which  constructs  her  action  and  her  life  out  of  two  such 
threads  as  those  has^/ormed  for  herself  a  net  that  ought  to 
catch  the  sympathies  and  approbation  of  the  civilized  world. 
[Great  applause.] 

"  Sir,  this  nation  was  powerful  in  war ;  but,  surrounded  as 
I  have  been  here  for  the  last  few  days  by  the  evidences 
which  this  Home  affords  of  the  gratitude  and  the  kindness 
of  this  great  country  to  those  who  have  fought  her  battles, 
I  am  bound  to  say  that  America  seems  to.  me  as  great  in 
peace  as  she  was  great  in  war.  [Applause].  We  have  an 
expression  in  a  hymn  of  ours  in  the  old  country  which  we 
sing  sometimes,  setting  forth  two  great  characteristics  of  the 
divine  being  whose  supremacy  we  acknowledge,  and  whose 
character  sets  forth  what  ought  to  be  found  in.  nations  as 
well  as  individuals.  The  couplet  is  this : 

"  'Tho'  his  arm.  is  strong  to.smite» 
*Tis  alio  strong  to  save.' 


DI8ABLBD   VOLUNTEER   SOLDIERS.  165 

"Nobody  doubts,  or  if  any  one  did  doubt  of  it  his  doubts 
would  be  dispelled  by  refreshing  his  recollection  by  the 
names  I  see  printed  around  these  walls.  I  am  glad  to  think 
that  in  this  hall  you  have  placed  Bull  Run  and  Appomattox 
side  by  side.  [Applause].  You  are  not  ashamed  to  do  that, 
for  whether  it  was  one  side  or  the  other  that  gained  the 
victory,  either  Bull  Run  or  Appomattox,as  I  take  it  you  were 
Americans  that  fought  in  both.  [Applause].  I  say  sur- 
rounded by  these  memorials  and  the  gallant  generals  who 
sit  on  this  platform  at  this  moment  nobody  can  doubt  that 
America  is  strong  to  smite.  She  did  hit  hard  when  she 
smote  at  all.  But  then  America  is  something  more.  The 
disabled  soldiers  in  this  room  and  who  surround  these  win- 
dows can  surely  bear  testimony  to  this  fact,  that  though  her 
arm  is  strong  to  smite  it  is  also  strong  to  save ;  and  I  trust 
that  thg  gratitude  which  America  shows  to  her  soldiers  will 
cause  to  spring  up  in  every  one  who  enjoys  the  benefits  of 
this  splendid  home  a  gratitude  commensurate  with  that. 

"Sir,  in  going  or  being  taken  around  by  my  friend  Dr. 
McDermont  through  this  Home  there  were  several  things 
that  struck  me  very  much.  Perhaps  that  which  interested 
me  most  was  that  splendid  library  and  reading-room  asso- 
ciated with  the  name  of  a  lady  who  gave  a  gallant  son  to 
her  country, — [cheers] — and,  having  given  her  son  to  her 
country,  is  now  making  the  disabled  soldiers  of  America  the 
heirs  of  that  son's  fortune.  Oh !  if  that  lady  were  in  the 
Old  World  we  would  never  think  of  her  as  anybody  but  a 
princess.  But  she  is  better  still,  for  I  believe,  in  the  lan- 
guage of  our  English  poet  laureate  Tennyson, 

"  f  'Tis  noble  to  be  good, 

Kind  words  are  more  than  coronets, 
And  simple  faith  than  Norman  Wood.* 

— [Applause.] 

"I  saw  one  thing  that  tickled  my  fancy  and  interested  me 
very  much,  and  that  was  a  deer-park  round  here.  [A  laugh.] 
There  are  some  of  you  who  came  from  England,  Ireland, 
and  Scotland,  and  you  know  this,  that  no  man  lower  down 
in  the  social  scale  than  a  duke  would  have  a  deer-park  like 
that.  [Laughter.]  But  there  is  just  this  difference  between 
the  old  country  and  the  new;  we  can  make  a  noble  very 
easily  there.  The  queen  has  only  to  take  her  pen  and  write 
her  name  to  a  certain  document  of  a  few  lines  in  length, 
and  she  has  turned  a  common  man  into  a  noble.  Now  you 
do  not  do.  it  so  easily  here,  for  yo-u  carve  your  nobility  for 


166  THE   NATIONAL   HOME    FOR 


yourselves  by  your  bayonets  and  your  wounds ;  and,  as  1 
take  it,  in  this  country  the  nobles  are  the  disabled  volunteer 
soldiers  of  America,  and  they  are  having  their  deer-park. 

"There  is  just  one  other  thing,  but  I  do  not  wish  to  de- 
tain you.  [Cries  of  'go  on,'  'go  on.']  As  I  said  before,  I 
was  taken  into  that  beautiful  library  and  reading-room  and 
I  saw  there  President  Grant's  saddle.  Well,  I  suppose  that 
saddle  is  kept  there  as  a  memento,  as  a  memorial  of  a  dis- 
tinguished hero  on  the  field  of  battle ;  and  I  dare  say,  or 
perhaps  this  is  a  fancy  of  my  own,  it  is  kept  there  as  a  sym- 
bol of  American  government.  General  Grant,  I  have  no 
doubt,  rode  his  horse  well  on  the  battle-field,  was  a  brave 
horseman  there ;  and  we  of  the  old  country  have  got  an  im- 
pression to  the  effect  that  he  has  had  a  very  firm  seat  as 
President  of  the  United  States,  and  that  it  has  been  rather  a 
difficult  thing  to  unhorse  him.  [Laughter  and  applause.] 
And  so  they  have  President  Grant's  saddle  very  well  fixed 
in  the  reading-room.  And  how  is  it  fixed  ?  Well,  I  noticed 
this,  that  there  were  two  chairs,  back  to  back,  and  the  sad- 
dle was  put  over  the  two  fronts,  because  if  they  had  put  it 
on  only  one  chair  it  would  come  down,  and  therefore  they 
have  two,  back  to  back,  for  security.  Well,  I  think  that  is  a 
symbol  of  American  government.  It  does  not  do  to  put  the 
symbol  of  government  over  the  northern  states ;  you  must 
have  it  over  the  southern  states  as  well.  [Tremendous 
applause].  You  can  not  go  in  that  way.  I  believe  the 
American  government  would  be  unstable  if  it  were  merely 
sectional  in  that  way;  and  not  only  so,  but  the  northern 
states  themselves  would  suffer  by  attempting  to  govern  them 
alone.  They  must  be  placed  back  to  back,  shoulder  to 
shoulder,  to  save  them...  I  am  a  loyal  subject  to  Queen  Vic- 
toria ;  and  though  I  am  attached  to  the  government  of  my 
own  country,  which  has  very  nearly  as  much  republicanism 
in  it  as  you  have  in  this  country  ;  although  we  have  the  noble 
element  as  head  of  government  in  our  queen  ;  although 
I  am  a  loyal  subject  of  Queen  Victoria,  I  rejoice  that  the 
American  Union  has  been  declared-— declared  on  battle- 
fields, declared  in  cabinets,  declared  in  congress,— to  be  one 
and  indivisible.  [Great  applause.]  I  rejoice  as  a  Briton  in 
the  consolidation  of  your  strength  and  the  development  of 
your  national  resources.  If  England  and  America — I  beg 
pardon — if  America  and  England  will  remain  true  friends, 
as  I  trust  and  pray  they  ever  will,  [applause]  then,  sir,  I 
think  they  will  be  able  to  keep  the  peace  of  the  world;  and 
then  the  eloquent  prediction  of  General  Osborn  will  be  true 


DISABLED   VOLUNTEER  SOLDIERS.  167 

V-  ^*« 

And  I  have  faith  enough  in  the  future  of  this  and  other 
lands  to  believe  that  it  will ;  that  you  have  been  instrumental 
in  making  the  last  veterans  on  battle-fields  that  ever  shall 
be  made. 

"  I  thank  you  once  more  most  sincerely  for  giving  me  this 
opportunity  of  saying  one  or  two  words,  and  I  can  assure 
you,  president,  soldiers,  and  citizens,  that  among  the  most 
pleasant  and  most  prominent  of  my  recollections  will  be  this 
?iy  visit  to  the  Disabled  Volunteer  Soldiers'  Home  in  this 
place  where  I  now  find  it."  [Loud  applause.] 

Amid  repeated  cries  for  General  Butler,  the 
general,  although  suffering  from  the  effects  of  a 
recent  cold,  came  forward  and  addressed  the 
veterans  as  follows : 

"  War-worn  veterans  of  the  great  conflict  of  the  rebellion  : 
— I  had  thought  to  excuse  myself  from  speaking  to  you,  not 
from  want  of  any  desire  to  do  so,  but  from  fear  of  inability 
from  the  condition  of  my  lungs  to  make  myself  heard  with- 
out such  effort  as  would  be  painful  to  us  both.  But,  comrades 
of  a  hundred  well-fought  battles,  I  greet  you  once  more  ;  and 
although  I  may  not  address  you  in  the  eloquent  language  of 
the  senior  vice-president  (General  Martindale],  or  that  of  my 
associates,  nor  in  that  well-put  address  for  which  I  thank  the 
gentleman  from  Great  Britain,  yet  you  will  allow  me,  while 
I  have  strength  to  do  so,  to  make  a  few  suggestions  that  he, 
among  others,  may  take  away  with  him  to  his  home. 

"  The  rise  of  these  soldiers  homes  is  not  well  understood, 
even  by  you.  In  the  year  1865,  in  March,  a  corporation 
was  established  by  congress  of  one  hundred  of  the  principal 
gentlemen  of  the  country  who  incorporated  it  into  an  in- 
stitution known  as  the  National  Soldiers'  and  Sailors'  Home 
for  the  disabled  volunteers  of  the  army  and  navy.  There 
were  five  several  attempts  made  to  get  that  hundred  men 
together  or  fifty-one  of  them,  which  it  was  necessary  to  do 
under  the  law  for  organization.  Those  attempts  failed.  A 
citizen  of  Dayton,  now  representing  our  country  at  the  first 
court  in  the  world, — General  Schenck,— was  chairman  of 
the  Military  Committee  of  the  lower  house  of  congress. 
Coming  disheartened  from  that  meeting  which  I  had  three 
times  attended — because  I  had  said  to  those  soldiers  who 
went  out  with  me  in  1861  without  bounty  or  hope  of  reward 


168  THE   NATIONAL  HOME    FOR 

that,  God  sparing  my  life,  I  would  see  to  it  that  they  were 
taken  care  of  so  long  as  they  should  live  [applause,]  and 
that  promise  I  was  bound  to  fulfill,  and  therefore  was  pres- 
ent at  each  of  these  meetings, — I  said  to  General  Schenck 
in  despair,  'What  shall  be  done?  These  men  who  have 
fought  my  battles,  who  have  been  disabled  by  shot  and  shell, 
and  bayonet  and  saber-cuts,  and  worse  than  all  those  who 
have  been  disabled  by  the  fell  diseases  of  the  swamps  and 
fens  of  the  southern  climate,  and  worse  still  those  who  have 
been  disabled  by  starvation  in  prisons  where  they  have 
been  found,  what  provision  can  be  made  for  their  future 
support  and  comfort?'  Entering  with  great  heartiness  into 
the  matter,  he  said  to  me :  'Come  to  my  room  this  evening 
and  we  will  endeavor  to  draw  some  plan  by  which  a  soldiers' 
home  can  be  organized.' 

"  Thereupon  the  present  plan  was  drawn.  An  establish- 
ment known  as  the  National  Asylum  for  Disabled  Volunteer 
Soldiers  and  Sailors  was  made,  consisting  of  nine  active 
members  of  the  Board  of  Managers  and  three  members  ex 
officio,  consisting  of  the  president,  secretary  of  war,  and 
chief-justice;  and  in  order  that  the  Board  of  Managers 
might  be  a  perpetual  body,  always  having  some  members 
in  it,  the  Board  was  chosen  for  six  years — two  for  four  years, 
two  for  two  years,  and  two  for  one  year,  so  that  one  third 
of  the  active  members  should  go  out  every  two  years  ;  and 
congress  every  two  years  renews  our  Board. 

"In  1866  that  Board  met,  but  before  the  act  went  through 
congress  the  secretary  of  the  navy  desired  congress  to  amend 
it  by  striking  from  it  the  words  volunteers  of  the  navy  and 
taking  away  all  the  revenue  derived  from  prize  money  or 
for  naval  fines  and  forfeitures.  So  that  you  will  now  un- 
derstand why  it  is  that  you  have  substantially  no  navy  men 
among  you.  When  we  first  began  and  found  a  navy  man, 
a  volunteer  seaman  who  was  disabled,  while  we  had  plenty 
of  room  and  apparently  a  great  plenty  of  funds  we  took 
him  in.  But  I  am  sorry  to  say  that  the  opinion  of  the  sec- 
retary of  the  navy  as  well  as  our  own,  upon  reflection,  was 
that  we  had  no  right  to  do  so;  and  that  will  account  to  you 
why  some  of  the  older  beneficiaries  who  were  sailors  you 
do  not  now  see  among  you. 

"Again  :  we  desired  that  there  should  be — as  there  was  but 
one  government,  one  war,  one  enemy,  one  disability,  one 
glory, — no  distinction  made  between  the  soldiers  of  the  regular 
army  and  the  volunteer  soldiers ;  that  the  Home  should  be 
as  well  for  the  volunteers  as  the  regulars.  But  the  officers 


DISABLED   VOLUNTEER   SOLDIERS.  169 

of  the  regular  army,  asserting  that  this  institution  would  die 
out  so  far  as  the  volunteers  were  concerned,  because  but  a 
few  years  more  must  close  over  us  all,  officers  and  soldiers, 
beneficiaries  and  managers,  and  therefore  as  the  regular 
army  was  to  be  perpetual  forever  as  the  right  arm  of  the 
nation  it  was  best  that  the  soldiers  of  the  regular  army  should 
have  their  soldiers'  home  separate  and  distinct,  as  you  know 
it  is  at  Washington.  Therefore,  my  friends,  they  struck  out 
that  portion  of  it ;  and  that  is  the  reason  why  we  are  not 
now  by  law  allowed  to  take  any  soldier  of  the  regular  army 
into  our  homes.  When  we  find  a  soldier  of  the  regular 
army  who  is  starved  and  destitute,  I  am  sorry  to  say  for 
myself,  I  do  not  look  so  critically  at  his  discharge  paper  to 
see  what  company  he  served  in  as  I  ought  to,  and  sometimes 
a  soldier  or  two  of  the  regular  army  slips  in.  But  by  law 
we  can  have  nobody  here  but  disabled  volunteer  soldiers 
of  the  war  of  the  rebellion,  with  two  exceptions.  Congress 
two  years  ago  added  that  the  soldiers  of  the  Mexican  war 
and  the  soldiers — now  scarce  almost  as  angels'  visits — of  the 
war  of  1812  should  find  an  asylum  here. 

"  1  have  been  thus  careful,  my  friends  ana  comrades,  to 
give  you  this  history  of  the  institution  for  the  first  time  in 
order  that  you  may  understand  exactly  who  are  entitled 
here  and  who  are  not,  and  how  we  of  the  Board  of  Man- 
agers are  entirely  confined  in  our  action  by  the  law  of  the 
land ;  and  while  in  many  cases  we  should  be  glad  to  take 
in  those  who  have  become  disabled  since — for  instance,  a 
man  who  was  in  the  war  and  served  his  country  faithfully 
but  fortunately  having  come  out  unscathed,  but  yet  who  now 
has  lost  an  arm  or  a  leg  by  railroad  accident  can  not  by  law 
be  taken  in  here,  however  much  we  may  wish.  He  must 
have  been  disabled  in  the  line  of  duty ;  that  is,  while  he  was 
actually  engaged  in  the  service  of  the  United  States  in  the 
war  of  the  rebellion.  Another  case  I  will  give  you :  Take 
a  soldier  who  fought  in  the  volunteer  army  and  disappeared 
by  leave,  or  left  and  went  and  enlisted  after  he  left  the  reg- 
ular army  and  was  wounded  in  fighting,  he  can  not  have 
place  among  us  by  law. 

"  Our  only  source  of  revenue  is  fines,  forfeitures,  and  un- 
claimed pay  of  volunteer  soldiers.  That  pay  due  to  some 
poor  volunteer  probably  whose  only  record  is  an  unknown 
grave  in  the  green  mounds  of  the  South  comes  to  us.  The 
forfeitures  of  soldiers  who  deserted  their  post— nay,  not  sol- 
diers who  deserted  their  posts,  but  those  who  for  bounty  said 
they  wanted  to  become  soldiers  and  ran  away  before  they 


170  THE   NATIONAL  HOME  FOR 

ever  saw  a  gun  or  smelled  powder — 'their  pay  and  their  bounty 
we  have  for  the  purpose  of  sustaining  this  institution.  Now 
so  long  as  the  support  of  the  institution  is  from  the  volun- 
teer service  you  will  see  how  unjust  it  would  be  if  we  took 
that  to  give  to  the  regular  soldier  or  seaman. 

"  Now  then  this  organization  took  place  seven  years  ago. 
And  let  me  premise  that  there  is  no  other  institution  like 
this  on  earth.  We  may  have  made  mistakes.  We  had 
neither  precedent  nor  guide.  We  read  the  charters  and  or- 
dinances of  the  Greenwich  Hospital ;  they  gave  us  no  light. 
We  sent  and  got  the  envoi  of  the  Hotel  des  Invalides  at 
Paris  where  Napoleon  put  his  veterans,  and  that  gave  us  no 
light.  The  soldiers'  regular  home  at  Washington  gave  us 
but  very  little  because  it  was  simply  almost  a  toy,  as  before 
the  war  our  regular  army  seemed  to  be  a  costly  toy  of  the 
nation.  Therefore  we  had  to  begin  organization  from  the 
beginning.  We  were  told  in  the  beginning  by  well-judging, 
clear-headed  men  over  and  over  again  that  we  need  make 
no  provision  for  these  soldiers,  as  we  never  should  find  any 
to  come  to  our  home.  My  answer  was  '  if  you  make  a  home 
for  the  soldier  there  will  be  soldiers  to  come  to  it ;  if  you 
make  a  very  bad  pen  you  will  catch  very  few  in  it.'  [Ap- 
plause.] 

"  Under  these  circumstances  it  was  determined  to  build 
three  homes,  one  at  Milwaukee,  one  at  Dayton,  and  one  in 
the  eastern  part,  in  New  England  ;  and  we  found  this  trouble, 
that  the  soldiers  came  faster  than  we  could  get  ready  for 
them.  Then  we  lost  by  fire  one  of  our  homes  in  the  East, 
and  had  to  sustain  our  soldiers  at  state  and  city  institutions. 

"  Now,  my  comrades,  I  am  going  to  talk  plainly,  because 
plain  frankness  is  a  speech  all  understand  with  each  other. 
One  great  trouble  we  found  with  our  first  soldiers  was  that 
they  had  been  staying  at  benevolent  institutions  and  state 
homes  where  unfortunately  there  was  not  the  semblance  of 
discipline,  and  where  a  great  many  having  contracted  a  dis- 
ease in  the  army  for  strong  drink  were  allowed  to  go  uncon- 
trolled either  by  the  officers  of  the  home  or  by  the  soldier 
himself.  Now  there  is  not  a  man  of  you  here — and  I  am 
speaking  to  the  man  who  drinks  the  most — there  is  not  a 
man  of  you  here  who  does  not  wish,  as  he  turns  up  the  cup  to 
his  lips,  that  there  was  no  such  a  thing  as  whisky  on  earth ; 
and  without  it,  my  friends,  we  should  nave  no  more  trouble 
at  any  of  our  homes  than  there  would  be  in  the  best  regu- 
lated family  in  the  country.  We  have  but  little  more  now 
than  that;  but  when  our  Home  first  started  we  had  that 


THE  PUTNAM  LIBRARY. 


13 


DISABLED    VOLUNTEER  SOLDIERS.  171 

trouble,  because  the  desire  to  drink  liquor,  which  is  a  disease 
contracted  in  the  army,  had  broken  out  and  had  been  nour- 
ished by  men  who  had  nothing  on  earth  to  do  but  to  drink 
in  the  state  homes  and  the  city  homes,  where  they  were 
petted  by  ladies  who  thought  they  were  doing  God's  service, 
and  who  were  because  they  thought  so,  but  were  doing  no 
service  to  man. 

"  Now  they  come  here,  and  the  change  is  wonderful ;  and 
I  am  not  going  to  give  you  any  generalities,  but  facts  and 
figures.  You  see  I,  as  executive  officer  of  the  Board,  am 
in  the  mouth  of  the  tunnel;  all  that  comes  in  at  the  top 
comes  to  me  at  last.  So  I  hear  all  that  is  done  that  is  wrong, 
and  yet  I  know  but  very  few  of  you.  Who  are  those  I  know 
best?  They  are  the  poorest  and  worst  men  among  you. 
[Laughter.]  Those  are  the  very  men  I  hear  of.  Let  us  see 
how  large  a  percentage  there  are  of  those  that  complain  that 
we  make  rules  and  regulations,  and  some  of  them  are  irk- 
some to  them.  They  say,  'Why  can  not  I  be  allowed  to  go 
out  when  I  please  ? '  Well,  I  will  tell  you  why.  Because 
there  are  just  about  two  in  a  hundred  who  can  not  be  al- 
lowed to  go.  [Laughter.]  For  instances,  of  all  the  instances 
that  have  been  brought  before  the  Board  for  examination  of 
bad  men  for  bad  conduct,  there  averages  just  about  two  and 
a  half  in  a  hundred,  and  because  of  those  two  and  a  half 
ninety-seven  and  a  half  must  be  put  under  restraint.  Now 
that  is  the  exact  fact.  Of  the  applications  for  re-admission 
of  men  who  are  trying  to  get  back  from  misconduct,  and  an 
uneasy  desire  to  wander  away  from  Home  to  Home,  and 
desert  and  go  this  way  and  that  way,  there  is  only  two  and 
a  half  in  a  hundred.  Then  there  is  about  one  in  a  hundred 
who  tries  honestly  to  get  a  home  if  they  can,  but  fail  and 
come  back.  And  I  want  to  say  to  you,  so  that  you  may 
understand  it,  that  the  rule  of  the  Board  is  that  where  a 
man  honestly  tries  to  go  out  and  get  a  living  and  fails  we 
re-admit  him  unconditionally.  But  if  he  gets  a  miff,  or  gets 
cross,  or  gets  punished,  and  then  suddenly  comes  to  the  con- 
clusion that  he  can  support  himself  and  demands  his  dis- 
charge we  mean  to  make  it  uncomfortable  enough  for  him  to 
get  back,  so  that  he  will  stay  where  he  is  when  he  gets  back. 
[Laughter.] 

"I  want  to  say  again  to  you,  for  you  will  keep  it  with  you 
now,  that  where,  suppose,  a  man  goes  down  into  Dayton 
and  there  is  overtaken  by  liquor,  what  is  the  consequence  ? 
Why,  it  is  that  you  are  brought  into  disgrace  by  your  ene- 
mies— for  you  have  got  some  here,  although  God  knows  why 


THE    NATIONAL   HOME   FOR 

you  should  have  them.  But  the  enemies  of  your  Home  will 
at  once  say,  *  Why,  there  is  a  drunken  soldier  from  the 
Home,'  not  reflecting  that  there  are  fourteen  hundred  and 
ninety-nine  sober,  honest,  industrious,  quiet  men  here,  and 
one  there  only.  And  if  you  should  look  at  that  enemy's 
grandfather  or  grandmother,  or  other  relatives,  you  would 
find  them  a  much  greater  per  cent  than  this.  [Laughter.] 
That  is  why  we  have  to  have  regulations  in  that  regard. 

"  Now,  then,  there  is  another  matter.  When  you  were 
small  in  numbers  we  had  an  excess  of  revenue  over  our  ex- 
penditures, and  we  run  up  quite  a  fund  because  we  had  three 
or  four  hundred  men  for  the  first  three  or  four  years.  But 
now  you  see  what  a  large  number  you  have.  You  have  two 
thousand  on  your  roll.  There  are  two  thousand  more  me- 
diately and  immediately  with  the  other  institutions,  and  for 
which  out-door  relief  is  afforded.  Think  a  moment  how  much 
it  costs  to  feed  those  four  thousand  men  as  economically  as 
we  strive  to  do  it.  Think  how  much  it  costs  to  clothe  them 
at  fifteen  or  twenty  dollars  a  suit  as  the  case  may  be  ;  so  that 
we  find  that  our  funds  are  being  drawn  upon,  and  therefore 
it  is  that  we  are  practicing  rigid  economy.  What  may  hap- 
pen when  our  funds  run  out  ?— -because  it  will  take  four  or  five 
years  to  bring  the  account  of  these  forfeitures  to  a  close. 
We  shall  have  to  go  to  congress  and  ask  appropriations  year 
by  year  to  support  you.  And  although  I  have  a  very  high 
opinion  of  congress,  yet  I  do  want  to  put  off  the  day  when 
we  shall  have  to  ask  congress  to  appropriate  as  long  as  pos- 
sible. And  therefore  the  Boaid  of  Managers,  agreeing  with 
me,  are  trying  to  husband  the  funds  every  way  and  make 
them  last  as  long  as  they  will,  because  I  see  one  fact:  When 
we  go  to  congress  for  funds  they  will  say,  'You  support 
these  men,  don't  you?'  'Yes.'  'You  take  care  of  them  in 
sickness  and  in  health?'  'Yes.'  'Clothe  them,  feed  them, 
doctor  them  ? '  '  Yes ;  we  even  pay  the  last  sad  rites  of  sep- 
ulcher.'  *  Very  well,  then/  some  man  gets  up  and  says  who 
slept  on  soft  cushions  during  the  war,  '  if  we  have  got  to  ap- 
propriate money  for  these  soldiers  let  us  take  away  their  pen- 
sions. There  is  no  reason  why  we  should  give  pensions  to 
men  who  have  all  these  things  furnished  by  the  Government,' 
ignoring  the  idea  on  which  the  Board  has  acted. 

"And  I  want  to  explain  to  you  this  matter  about  pensions 
so  that  you  will  understand  it.  The  law,  when  passed  by 
congress,  looked  to  our  taking  all  the  pensions  of  the  men, 
and  gave  the  right  to  the  Board  to  take  them ;  and  the  ques- 
tion came  up  early  in  the  discussion,  what  shall  we  do  about 


DISABLED   VOLUNTEER   SOLDIERS.  173 

§ 

this  ?  Because  we  saw  that  the  men  looked  upon  the  pen- 
sion as  a  little  more  than  the  value  of  money ;  they  looked 
upon  it  as  a  reward  of  merit,  and  would  not  like  to  give  it 
up.  Having  a  large  excess  of  funds,  and  seeing  that  we  be- 
lieved upon  the  whole  that  the  men  would  be  happier  with 
their  pensions,  and  that  certainly  they  ought  to  go  to  the 
families,  and  the  law  giving  us  the  liberty  to  use  our  discre- 
tion— and  that  is  about  the  only  discretion  that  our  Board 
had  so  far  as  the  expenditure  of  funds  are  concerned — we,  as 
a  Board,  after  due  discussion,  chose  to  say  that  the  pension 
should  be  given  to  the  family  and  should  not  be  taken  away 
from  the  men,  except  as  an  act  of  necessary  discipline,  and 
sometimes  as  a  punishment.  Now  then,  why  do  we  ever 
take  away  pensions?  I  will  tell  you  why.  Some  men  can 
not  be  affected  in  any  other  way — some  of  this  two  per  cent 
that  I  have  told  you  of.  And  then  the  only  use  some  men 
make  of  their  pension  is  to  get  liquor;  and  it  is  a  mercy  to 
them  to  take  it  away.  Therefore  we  have  in  some. instances 
taken  away  a  part,  and  in  some  instances  all.  But  we  want 
to  do  that  as  little  as  possible ;  and  it  is  simply  not  for  us  but 
for  you  to  say,  for  I  tell  you  again,  and  I  know  you  will  believe 
me — I  tell  it  to  you  in  the  presence  of  my  associates — that 
the  great  object  of  striving  we  have  is  to  keep  you  econom- 
ically so  that  your  funds  shall  last  as  long  as  possible.  I 
trust — for  the  amount  is  yet  undetermined— it  may  last  long 
enough  before  the  Great  Messenger  calls  for  us  to  keep  us 
away  from  congress,  so  that  no  man  who  goes  there  from 
the  South  or  North  may  think  that  he  may  demagogue  a  lit- 
tle in  congress  with  some  stupid  constituency  by  getting  a 
little  glory  in  taking  away  the  disabled  soldiers'  pension. 
[Applause.] 

"  Now  I  have  not  attempted  to  make  you  a  speech  ;  I  have 
attempted  to  explain  to  you  the  ground  upon  which  we  act. 
It  is  your  home ;  it  is  your  place  where  you  are  to  live  and 
die,  where  all  your  hopes  are  centered;  and  I  ask  you  to  CO" 
operate  with  us  and  make  yourselves  a  committee  of  the 
whole  to  take  care  of  this  fiftieth  man^the  other  forty-nine 
we  never  hear  of.  Take  care  of  him  yourseiiy.es,  an,d  do  not 
send  him  to  me.  I  am  not  a  good  person  to  whom  to  send 
men  to  be  taken  care  of  who  do  not  behave  well.  Perhaps 
I  might  incline  to  be  too  harsh ;  therefore  do  not  send  him 
to  me.  Take  him  up  kindly.  If  you  see  one  of  your  com- 
rades down  in  the  city  making  a  fool  of  himself,  kindly  lay 
your  hand  upon  him,— if  you  have  one  to  lay  upon  him,  an.d 
you  may  have  but  one, — take  him  by  the  sjboulder,  and  lead 


174  THE  NATIONAL  HOME  FOB 

him  home.  Cover  his  fault  as  well  as  you  can  from  the  of- 
ficers and  keep  him  from  doing  the  like  again.  [Applause.] 
"Now  I  have  given  you,  so  that  you  may  all  understand, 
the  history  of  the  institution  and  of  our  part  in  it.  These 
gentlemen — one  from  St.  Louis,  one  from  Chicago,  one  from 
New  Hampshire,  one  from"  Massachusetts, — have  left  their 
homes  to  come  here  in  obedience  to  that  call  which  made 
most  of  you,  perhaps  all,  leave  your  homes  when  the  order 
of  your  country's  peril  came — the  call  of  duty.  We  come 
here  because  it  is  a  duty  put  upon  us.  We  have  no  wish 
but  your  welfare,  no  interest  but  yours,  no  hope  of  reward 
but  to  see  you  happy — nay,  seeing  that  your  old  age  shall  be 
as  happy  as  your  youth  and  manhood  have  been  brave  and 
honorable." 

At  the  close  of  the  general's  remarks  nine 
cheers  were  proposed  by  Colonel  Brown,  and 
heartily  given  for  General  Butler. 

CHRISTMAS  AND  THANKSGIVING  AT  THE  HOME. 

Thanksgiving-day  is  usually  observed  in  the 
following  manner:  Religious  services  in  the 
church,  and  addresses  by  some  distinguished 
speakers.  A  grand  thanksgiving  dinner  is  served 
up  in  the  dining-hall,  oysters  purchased  by  the 
barrel  and  turkeys  by  the  hundreds  making  the 
substantial  of  the  occasion,  In  the  evening  there 
is  a  suitable  entertainment  in  Music  Hall,  com- 
posed of  music,  tableaux,  and  dramatic  plays.  The 
following  bill  of  fare  is  usually  served  up  at  the 
Christmas  dinner 

Oysters  stewed,  Roast  beef, 

Mashed  potatoes,  Tomatoes, 

Pickles,  Bread,  Butter,  Cakes, 

Mince-pie,  Coffee,  and  Apples. 


DISABLED   VOLUNTEER  SOLDIERS.  175 

There  are  also  entertainments  of  a  varied 
character.  The  annual  Christmas  present  to  the 
Home  by  their  ever  kind  friend  and  patron,  Mrs. 
Mary  Lowell  Putnam,  is  always  the  most  inter- 
esting feature  of  the  occasion.  Last  year  the 
present  was  a  large  box  of  splendid  books  This 
was  made  the  occasion  of  a  splendid  ovation  to 
the  generous  donor.  It  was  a  sort  of  a  mass- 
meeting  in  library  hall,  which,  large  as  it  is,  was 
filled  with  the  veterans.  The  books  were  on  ex- 
hibition, and  after  they  were  examined  and  ad- 
mired Colonel  Brown,  in  a  few  words,  opened 
the  exercises  by  calling  out  Chaplain  Earnshaw, 
who  spoke  eloquently  of  Mrs.  Putnam,  and  read 
letters  more  eloquent  still  from  Mrs.  Putnam 
herself.  These  letters  ran  from  1868  to  Novem- 
ber, 1871 ;  and  during  their  reading,  so  intent 
were  the  veterans  that  the  falling  of  a  pin  could 
have  been  heard. 

After  the  chaplain,  Manager  Gunckel  was  called 
out.  He  said  he  had  not  come  to  speak,  but  to 
join  them  in  their  Christmas  and  to  unite  with 
them  in  doing  honor  to  their  best  friend,  Mrs. 
Putnam,  whom  he  pronounced  the  truest  of 
women  and  the  purest  of  Christians.  After  a 
description  of  Mrs.  Putnam  and  his  visits  to  her, 
and  a  eulogy  on  her  splendid  work,  he  closed  by 
suggesting  the  formation  of  a  monumental  and 


176  THE  NATIONAL   HOME   FOB 

historical  society  at  the  Soldiers'  Home,  with 
twofold  objects.  First,  the  erection  of  a  mon- 
ument to  those  who  had  died  at  the  Soldiers' 
Home,  upon  which  the  name  of  every  veteran  who 
had  died  or  should  hereafter  die  at  the  Soldiers' 
Home  should  be  inscribed;  and  second,  the  col- 
lection of  relics  from  all  the  battle-fields  of  the  re- 
bellion, which  should  constitute  a  national  museum 
at  the  Soldiers'  Home. 

The  veterans  took  the  suggestions  at  once,  and 
appointed  a  committee  to  report  a  constitution 
for  the  formation  of  the  proposed  society.  Col- 
onel Brown  closed  the  meeting  by  offering  reso- 
lutions—which were  unanimously  adopted — re- 
turning thanks  to  Mrs.  Putnam  for  her  Christmas 
present,  and  requesting  her  to  furnish  her  own 
portrait  for  the  adornment  of  library  hall. 

The  dinner  which  followed  was  splendid,  such 
as  would  have  done  honor  to  any  of  our  best 
hotels. 

ST.  PATRICK'S  DAY  AT  THE  HOME. 

The  Irish-American  veterans,  as  well  as  others, 
have  their  day  at  the  Home.  A  large  crowd  as- 
sembled at  Music  Hall  on  the  occasion  of  the  en- 
tertainment given  by  the  Irish-American  veterans 
in  celebration  of  St.  Patrick's  day.  There  was  a 
large  number  of  visitors  present  from  the  city, 


DISABLED   VOLUNTEER   SOLDIERS.  177 

and  many  from  the  neighboring  cities  and  towns. 

The  stage  and  hall  were  gorgeously  decorated, 
the  entire  background  of  the  former  being  a  large 
American  flag.  In  front  of  this  was  a  green 
square,  in  the  center  of  which  was  a  harp  wreathed 
in  gold,  and  above  it  a  spread-eagle,  while  on  the 
left  was  a  green  flag,  and  on  the  right  the  Amer- 
ican standard.  On  each  side  of  the  stage  were 
American  flags  in  folds,  and  the  drop-curtain  was 
decorated  with  evergreens  and  banners — red, 
white,  blue,  and  green. 

The  music  furnished  by  the  Home  Band  was  of 
the  most  delightful  character,  and  appropriate  to 
the  occasion. 

Colonel  William  G.  Halpin,  of  Cincinnati,  de- 
livered an  oration  which  did  not  occupy  more 
than  half  an  hour  in  the  delivery,  yet  it  was  so 
eloquent  and  pointed  that  it  stirred  every  Irish 
heart  in  his  hearing.  Colonel  Halpin  congratu- 
lated his  hearers  upon  the  fact  that  the  Ireland  of 
to-day  was  not  what  it  was  even  forty  years  ago. 
There  had  been  advancements  there  as  well  as 
elsewhere.  Education  was  more  generally  dif- 
fused among  the  people,  and  more  attention  was 
paid  to  all  those  influences  which  elevate  and  en- 
noble humanity. 

He  regretted  that  it  had  been  said  of  Irishmen 
that  they  were  not  so  brave  at  home  as  they  were 


178  THE   NATIONAL   HOME   FOR 

abroad.  It  was  true  that  in  every  land  through- 
out the  four  quarters  of  the  globe  Irishmen  had 
made  for  themselves  an  enviable  record;  but  he 
denied  that  they  had  shown  any  less  gallantry  on 
their  native  soil.  In  support  of  his  position  he 
cited  Limerick,  Vinegar  Hill,  and  other  battle- 
fields on  which  Irishmen  had  heroically  shed 
their  blood  in  defense  of  their  rights  and  liberties. 

Colooel  Halpin's  address  was  enthusiastically 
cheered,  and  the  only  criticism  made  upon  it  was 
complimentary  to  it,  and  that  was  that  it  was  too 
brief. 

Father  Carey  made  some  very  happy  remarks, 
at  the  conclusion  of  which  he  introduced  Father 
O'Reilly  an(J.  Father  Ilahne  as  good  Irishmen. 
The  clerical  pleasantry  which  prompted  the  in- 
troduction of  Father  Hahne  as  an  Irishman  was 
received  with  shouts  of  laughter  by  the  audience. 

Father  O'Reilly  made  a  brief  address,  and  was 
followed  by  Father  Mackey,  of  St.  Patrick's 
Church,  Cincinnati. 

The  songs  were  good.  Mr.  Intelkofer  rendered 
the  "Rising  of  the  Moon"  with  fine  effect,  and 
the  "  Irish  Brigade,"  in  character,  by  Mr.  L.  Cal- 
lahan,  was  rapturously  encored.  "Come  Where 
My  Love  Lies  Dreaming"  was  not  on  the  pro- 
gramme, yet  it  was  sung  by  St.  Joseph's  choir 
with  such  admirable  effect  that  it  might  be  de- 
nominated the  vooal  gem  of  the  evening. 


DISABLED   VOLUNTEER  SOLDIERS.  179 

Mr.  W.  H.  Emoss  and  Mr.  Louis  L.  Welton 
also  contributed  much,  to  the  enjoyment  of  the 
occasion  by  their  singing. 

"  Johnny,  I  hardly  Knew  You/'  as  rendered  by 
Mr.  L.  Callahan  in  character,  was  convulsively 
funny.  "Donald  Aboo,"  by  Mr.  Larkin,  was  a 
most  delightful  performance,  and  the  same  may 
be  said  of  the  piano  performance  by  Mr.  Schenck. 
The  veterans  tendered  their  thanks  to  Colonel 
Halpin,  Colonel  Brown,  Father  Carey,  and  St. 
Joseph  choir  for  the  part  they  had  taken  in  con- 
tributing to  the  success  of  the  celebration. 

Then  with  three  cheers  to  "the  day  we  cele- 
brate "  the  exercises  were  concluded. 

OUTSIDE  ASSOCIATIONS. 

The  Home  is  not  without  its  pleasant  associ- 
ations with  the  outside  world.  Crowds  of  visitors 
from  all  sections  of  the  country,  and  also  from 
Europe,  come  here  daily  and  express  their  ad- 
miration of  the  Home  and  its  surroundings.  In 
addition  to  these,  during  the  summer  months 
gay  picnic  parties  fill  the  woods,  and  carriages  of 
various  descriptions  throng  the  avenues.  Broad 
drives,  and  fair  promenades  in  visiting  the  garden, 
library,  church,  and  other  buildings  evince  the 
proud  satisfaction  they  feel  in  so  noble  and  beau- 
tiful a  home  having  been  provided  for  the  nation's 


180  THE   NATIONAL   HOME    FOR 

defenders.  The  ladies  of  the  Christian  Association 
of  Dayton  also  attend  weekly  with  music  and  read- 
ing for  the  blind.  Various  military  and  civic 
organizations  come  in  a  body,  and  distinguished 
actors,  musicians,  and  lecturers  generously  enter- 
tain and  instruct  the  inmates.  Some  of  these 
pleasant  visits  that  have  transpired  within  the 
past  two  or  three  years  we  now  propose  briefly 
to  describe. 

PIONEERS  OF  THE  MIAMI  VALLEY 

The  pioneers'  reunion  held  at  the  Soldiers' 
Home  was  one  of  the  notable  events  of  the  period. 
On  no  other  occasion  of  the  kind  have  so  many 
of  the  early  settlers  in  this  section  of  the  state 
been  brought  face  to  face  for  the  enjoyment  of 
social  life. 

At  11:30  A.  M.  the  pioneers  assembled  at  the 
chapel  of  the  Home,  which  was  densely  crowded. 
John  D.  Caldwell,  Esq.,  of  Cincinnati,  secretary  of 
the  Hamilton  County  Pioneer  Association,  called 
the  meeting  to  order.  Judge  D.  K.  Este,  of  Cincin- 
nati, a  pioneer  of  eighty-eight  years,  was  chosen 
chairman,  and  Robert  W.  Steele,  of  Dayton,  sec- 
retary. 

Before  the  organization  the  audience  joined  in 
singing  "  Praise  God,  from  whom  all  blessings 
flow,"  to  the  tune  of  Old  Hundred,  which  is  in- 


DISABLED   VOLUNTEER   SOLDIERS.  181 

separably  connected  with  the  words.  Then  fol- 
lowed the  invocation  by  Rev.  D.  Winters,  chap- 
lain of  the  Montgomery  County  Pioneer  Associ- 
ation. 

After  the  election  of  officers  Hon.  L.  B.  Gunckel, 
resident  manager,  made  the  following  address  of 
welcome  on  behalf  of  the  Home : 

"It  happens  that  I  am  the  oldest  person  officially  con- 
nected with  the  Soldiers'  Home  who  was  born  in  this  county, 
and  for  that  reason  have  been  selected  to  welcome  the  pi- 
oneers of  Hamilton,  Butler,  Darke,  and  Montgomery.  The 
veterans  of  the  Home,  now  numbering  near  two  thousand, 
like  all  soldiers  and  gentlemen  (the  veterans  are  both),  re- 
spect old  age,  especially  honorable  old  age,  such  as  they 
know  yours  to  be.  They  know  full  well  the  privations  and 
sufferings,  the  courage,  industry,  and  economy  of  the  pioneer 
men  and  women  which  have  been  required  to  make  the 
Miami  valley  what  it  is — the  most  beautiful  in  the  world. 
They  respect,  honor,  love  you,  and  instruct  me  to  make  the 
welcome  as  strong  and  as  hearty  as  words  can  make  it,  and 
I  do  not  know  how  I  can  do  it  better  than  to  say  our  welcome 
is  of  the  real  old-fashioned  kind.  It  is  not  without  reason 
that  older  people  complain  that  modern  politeness  is  formal, 
cold,  and  heartless,  and  fashionable  welcomes  too  often 
mere  lip-service.  So  I  repeat,  we  mean  ours  to  be  an  old- 
fashioned  welcome — one  which  comes  from  the  heart  and 
shows  itself  in  the  hearty  grip  of  the  hand,  such  shakes  as 
made  old  General  Harrison,  in  1840,  wish  he  had  no  hands 
at  all.  We  want  our  welcome  to  be  just  such  as  would  have 
been  extended  to  you,  at  this  very  place,  sixty  years  ago — 
the  latch-string  of  the  log-cabin  out,  a  place  for  you  around 
the  open  log-fire,  and  an  invitation  to  share  the  corn-dodger 
and  hard-cider.  So  we  gladly  extend  to  you  the  freedom 
and  hospitality  of  the  Soldiers'  Home. 

"  But  before  clcsing  I  beg  to  introduce  a  few  of  our  '  boys 
in  blue ; '  the  oldest  ninety-four,  and  the  youngest — '  the  child 
of  the  regiment' — only  forty-eight!  They  are  veterans  of 
the  war  of  1812.  By  the  original  act  establishing  these 
homes,  such  soldiers  only  were  admissible  as  had  been  dis- 
abled in  the  war  of  the  rebellion.  But  it  seemed  so  unjust 


182  THE  NATIONAL  HOME    FOR 

to  exclude  those  who  had  fought  and  been  disabled  under 
General  Jackson  in  the  South,  under  General  Harrison  in  the 
Northwest,  and  under  General  Scott  in  Mexico,  that  con- 
gress amended  the  act  and  admitted  these  noble  old  veterans 
on  the  same  terms  as  the  others.  Their  history  is  remark- 
able. Some  of  them  have  distinguished  themselves  in 
European  as  well  as  American  wars.  One  was  in  thirty-one 
general  engagements,  and  wounded  five  times ;  another  in 
twenty-five  general  engagements  and  never  received  even 
a  scratch;  another  went  through  twenty-one  battles  un- 
harmed, but  only  to  be  wounded  at  Fort  Donaldson.  One 
entered  the  French  service  when  twelve  years  old ;  another 
at  his  birth.  His  father  was  a  French  soldier;  he  was  born 
in  camp,  and  at  once  entered  on  the  army  rolls ;  but  whether 
with  or  without  'back  pay'  I  can  not  say." 

This  was  a  very  interesting  feature  of  the  oc- 
casion, and  as  the  old  soldiers  were  presented 
they  were  received  with  hearty  applause. 

Benjamin  Lereaux,  aged  ninety-four,  served  in 
the  war  of  1812,  and  fought  at  Lundy's  Lane, 
Pittsburgh,  and  Chippewa. 

Thomas  Maddox,  aged  ninety-five,  a  volunteer 
of  1812,  was  at  the  defense  of  Baltimore. 

Ira  Anderson,  eighty-two,  a  veteran  of  1812. 

Amen  Clark,  seventy-eight,  a  veteran  of  1812. 

John  Manz,  seventy- three,  enlisted  in  the  French 
army  as  a  bugler  at  the  age  of  twelve ;  was  bugler 
for  Napoleon's  body-guard  at  Waterloo,  and  was 
taken  prisoner;  afterward  served  for  seventeen 
years  in  the  army  of  Holland ;  emigrated  to  the' 
United  States  in  1850,  and  served  two  years  in 
the  war  of  the  rebellion ;  was  discharged  on  ac-l 
count  of  the  loss  of  his  eyesight. 


*',-,*• 


DISABLED   VOLUNTEER   SOLDIERS.       ^7^83     ^ 

Adolph  Grimm,  aged  eighty-seven,  fought  in 
the  battles  of  Leipsic,  Waterloo,  and  Katzbach, 
and  served  two  years  in  the  American  army. 

Edward  Milton,  aged  seventy-five,  was  forty- 
three  years  in  military  service,  and  forty  years  a 
non-commissioned  officer ;  served  under  General 
Harney  in  the  Seminole  war,  and  helped  to  capt- 
ure Wild  Cat,  the  Seminole  chief;  was  with 
Captain  Bonneville  in  his  Rocky  Mountain  ex- 
plorations. 

Benning  Wentworth,  who  weighs  almost  three 
hundred,  was  pleasantly  introduced  as  the  child 
of  the  regiment.  He  is  only  forty-eight,  and 
served  with  credit  through  the  war  of  the  re- 
bellion. 

Charles  Schaffter,  sixty-six  years,  was  born  a 
soldier  with  the  French  army,  in  the  field.  His 
name  was  entered  on  the  army  roll  on  the  day  of 
his  birth,  and  he  received  the  regular  pay,  rations, 
and  clothing  allotted  to  the  adult  soldier.  He 
served  in  the  Union  army  during  the  continuance 
of  the  rebellion. 

John  W.  Bayz,  a  veteran  of  only  fifty-seven 
years,  served  twenty  years  in  the  regular  army ; 
was  in  the  Florida  and  Mexican  wars,  and  did  a 
good  deal  in  fighting  Indians  in  the  West  besides. 
He  was  on  board  the  steamer  San  Francisco,  with 
some  four  hundred  soldiers,  when  she  was  wrecked 


184  THE  NATIONAL  HOME  FOR 

on  her  voyage  to  California.  He  was  in  thirty- 
one  engagements,  and  received  five  wounds. 

Edward  Kates,  sixty-two,  served  nineteen  years 
in  the  United  States  marine  corps,  and  five  years 
in  the  regular  army ;  was  in  the  Mexican,  Chinese, 
and  Florida  wara,  and  served  five  years  in  the 
Union  army.  He  was  in  twenty-two  engage- 
ments. 

J.  C.  Lamb,  forty-seven,  for  fifteen  years  in  the 
navy;  served  in  the  Mexican  and  Chinese  wars; 
was  under  fire  in  twenty-five  general  engagements. 

VISIT  OF  GOVERNOR  ALLEN—SOLDIERS'  REUNION. 

The  reunion  and  basket  picnic  of  the  one  hun- 
dred and  tenth,  ninety-fourth,  seventy-first,  and 
forty-fourth  Ohio  regiments  at  the  Soldiers' 
Home  drew  together  a  larger  crowd  than  has  here- 
tofore assembled  on  a  similar  occasion.  The  reg- 
iments were  all  represented,  all  the  surviving 
members  of  several  companies  being  present,  and 
they  were  accompanied  by  vast  crowds  of  people 
of  both  sexes.  It  is  estimated  that  fully  five 
thousand  persons  were  brought  to  the  city  by  the 
railroads,  who,  with  the  citizens  of  Dayton  that 
went  out  to  the  Home,  made  a  vast  multitude. 
Every  addition  that  could  be  made  to  the  means 
of  transportation  to  theJEEome  was  brought  into 
requisition.  Extra  cars  were  put  on  the  Third 


'•^^ii^"1 
14 


DISABLED  VOLUNTEER   SOLDIERS.  185 

f*-"  •  **' 

Street  route,  and  the  street  was  thronged  with 
express-wagons,  omnibusses,  and  carriages,  but 
still  numbers  of  people  were  compelled  to  walk. 
It  was  like  a  Fourth  of  July  scene  on  the  grounds. 
The  park,  the  wood,  the  lawns,  and  avenues  were 
filled  with  people,  here  in  groups,  there  in  pairs,, 
and  there  again  in  crowds. 

Governor  Allen,  accompanied  bj  a  number  of 
prominent  citizens  of  Dayton,  arrived  on  the 
grounds  at  11:00  A.  M.,  and  was  received  at  head- 
quarters by  Colonel  E.  F.  Brown,  governor  of  the 
Home,  who  conducted  him  to  the  speaker's  stand. 
As  the  gubernatorial  party  ascended  to  the  plat- 
form the  Home  Band  struck  up  "  Hail  to  the 
Chief,"  and  the  distinguished  gentleman  was 
greeted,  with  a  spontaneous  outburst  of  applause. 
Colonel  Brown,  on  the  part  of  the  regiments  on 
whose  invitation  Governor  Allen  was  present, 
and  also  in  behalf  of  the  officers  and  men  of  the 
Home,  delivered  the  address  of  welcome. 

GOVERNOR  ALLEN'S  SPEBCH. 

'  Governor  Brown,  citizens,  and  soldiers  : — This  is  one  of 
the  most  agreeable  days  of  my  life,  rendered  so  by  the 
honor  conferred  upon  me,  by  the  kind  reception  tendered 
me  by  the  officers  and  inmates  of  this  institution,  and  the 
vast  multitude  before  me.  In  passing  my  eye  along  the 
line  of  these  structures,  and  over  the  beauty  of  these  grounds 
with  their  ornaments,  I  know  that  every  dollar  appropriated 
by  the  Government  for  the  Soldiers'  Home  has  been  hon- 
estly applied  to  the  purpose  that  it  was  intended — that  pur- 
pose was  to  promote  the  happiness  of  that  portion  of  the 


186  THE    NATIONAL   HOME   FOR 

community  wounded  in  the  war.  The  traveler  in  making 
the  journey  of  the  earth  will  find  no  institution  like  this. 
It  is  superior  to  any  similar  institution  of  other  countries 
throughout  the  world.  It  was  organized  wisely  and  econom- 
ically and  placed  under  the  supervision  of  the  ablest  and 
purest  citizens  of  the  country  and  soldiers  of  the  army. 
The  men  intrusted  with  this  great  work  have  been  faithful 
to  their  trust,  and  have  managed  the  affairs  of  the  institu- 
tion so  wisely  and  economically  that  it  is  an  honor  to  the 
whole  country;  and  it  is  a  blessing  to  the  wounded  soldiers. 
They  have  done  their  duty  well ;  we  see  evidences  of  it  here 
to-day.  The  Government  has  done  no  more  than  it  was  in 
honor  bound  to  do ;  it  is  our  duty  to  provide  for  those  who 
were  disabled  in  defense  of  the  country.  This  has  been 
the  policy  of  all  governments  in  ancient  and  modern  times. 
In  the  ages  of  antiquity  the  disabled  soldiers  were  taken 
care  of.  The  Greeks  carried  this  idea  so  far  that  they  sent 
into  exile  seven  of  their  victorious  generals  because  they 
did  not  take  time  to  bury  their  fallen  soldiers  even  in  the 
midst  of  a  campaign.  They  would  not  accept  such  an  ex- 
cuse as  that.  It  is  especially  the  duty  of  the  United  States 
to  provide  for  her  wounded  soldiers.  Here  we  have  no 
large  standing  army;  never  shall  as  long  as  we  remain  free. 
We  do  not  need  them,  because  every  man  is  a  soldier  and 
a  patriot  that  has  interest  in  the  country.  We  keep  a  few 
soldiers  to  occupy  the  forts  and  to  keep  the  Indians  in  check 
on  the  frontier;  but  we  do  not  keep  any  to  bayonet  unof- 
fending citizens  to  the  ground." 

At  the  meetings  held  by  the  several  regiments, 
resolutions  were  passed  tendering  their  thanks  to 
Governor  Brown  and  the  officers  and  men  of  the 
Soldiers'  Home.  This  proceeding  was  highly 
appropriate,  for  Governor  Brown  and  his  sub- 
ordinates were  untiring  in  their  attentions  to  the 
visitors.  They  accompanied  them  about  the 
grounds,  pointed  out  the  objects  of  interest,  and 
in  every  way  they  could  extended  a  soldier's 
kindly  greeting  to  a  soldier* 


DISABLED   VOLUNTEER   SOLDIERS.  187 

GENERAL  HOOKER'S  VISIT  TO  THE  HOME. 

Seldom  has  a  more  spontaneous  and  general 
outburst  of  enthusiasm  ever  been  witnessed  at  the 
Home  than  that  displayed  on  the  occasion  of 
General  Hooker's  visit  to  the  disabled  soldiers. 

The  general,  accompanied  by  Major-general 
Wood  and  Manager  Gunckel,  of  Dayton,  arrived 
at  the  asylum  at  10  o'clock  A.  M.,  and  was  met  at 
the  gate  (the  entrance  to  the  asylum  grounds)  by 
Colonel  E.  F.  Brown,  governor  of  the  institution, 
accompanied  by  the  celebrated  Home  Band.  The 
party  was  escorted  up  the  avenue  leading  to  the 
institution  by  the  band,  the  guns  on  the  parade- 
ground  at  the  same  time  firing  a  military  salute 
in  honor  of  the  distinguished  visitor.  In  front  of 
head- quarters  was  erected  a  triumphal  arch  deco- 
rated with  evergreens,  bearing  the  inscription, 
"  Welcome  to  General  Hooker,  the  hero  of  Look- 
out Mountain."  As  the  carriage  drove  along  the 
lawn  in  front  of  the  barracks,  where  nearly  all 
the  soldiers  able  to  leave  their  quarters  were  as- 
sembled, cheer  after  cheer  rent  the  air  as  he  passed 
along  the  line. 

The  formal  reception  was  advertised  to  take 
place  in  Music  Hall,  and  as  soon  as  the  doors  were 
opened,  it  was  quickly  filled  to  overflowing,  every 
available  spot  for  standing-room  being  occupied. 

The  general's  appearance  on  the  stage  in  the 


188  THE  NATIONAL   HOME  FOR 

hall  was  greeted  with  enthusiastic  applause,  dur- 
ing which  the  band  struck  up  "  Sherman's  March 
through  Georgia."  He  was  introduced  to  the* 
audience  by  the  governor,  Colonel  E.  F.  Brown, 
who,  after  referring  briefly  to  his  distinguished 
services  in  the  army  in  connection  with  the  vet- 
erans before  him,  in  behalf  of  the  Board  of  Man- 
agers, officers,  and  inmates  of  the  institution  bade 
him  a  hearty  welcome.  The  general  on  rising  to 
his  feet  was  once  again  greeted  with  three  times 
three  by  the  "  boys,"  nearly  all  rising  to  their  feet 
by  general  impulse.  He  was  evidently  taken  by 
surprise  by  the  cordial  welcome  extended  to  him 
on  all  hands,  and  exhibited  slight  embarrassment 
and  no  small  degree  of  emotion,  but  controlled 
himself  sufficiently  to  reply  in  an  eloquent  and 
appropriate  address,  during  the  delivery  of  which 
he  was  frequently  interrupted  by  applause  and 
laughter.  At  the  close  of  the  exercises  a  large 
crowd  of  soldiers  lingered  outside  the  hall,  where 
he  was  again  welcomed  by  expressions  of  love  and 
respect ;  indeed,  it  appeared  to  an  observer  as  if 
the  enthusiasm  of  the  veterans  was  only  restrained 
out  of  sympathy  for  the  general  himself,  on  be- 
holding his  present  physical  condition. 

BIG  INJINS  AT  THE  HOME— THE  PIPE  OF  PEACE 
SMOKED  AND  GRAND  POWWOW  GENERALLY. 

On  the  afternoon  of  April  18th,  1871,  the  mem- 


DISABLED    VOLUNTEER  SOLDIERS.  189 

bers  of  the  Great  Council  of  the  Improved  Order 
of  Red  Men  visited  the  Soldiers'  Home,  and  were 
met  at  the  gate  by  the  courteous  officers  of  that 
institution,  armed  with  tomahawks.  The  pipe  of 
peace  was  smoked,  when  the  Red  Men  were  capt- 
ured and  taken  in  charge  by  the  officers.  A  very 
interesting  welcome  address  was  delivered  by 
Chaplain  Earnshaw  and  responded  to  by  the 
great  chief  of  records,  Betts.  The  visitors  were 
highly  delighted  with  their  visit,  and  unanimously 
voted  the  officers  of  the  Home  as  whole-souled  and 
genial  gentlemen,  and  congratulated  the  inmates 
that  such  true-hearted  men  were  permitted  to 
contribute  to  their  happiness  in  their  unfortunate 
condition. 

GENERAL  SHERMAN'S  VISIT  TO   THE   HOME  .ON 
DECORATION-DAY,  MAY  30,  1870. 

General  Sherman  arrived  at  6:00  A.  M.,  and  pro- 
ceeded to  the  residence  of  J.  W.  Stoddard,  Esq., 
where  he  was  entertained. 

By  eight  o'clock  crowds  of  persons  had  taken 
up  the  line  of  march  from  the  city  and  country 
to  the  Home,  crowding  the  dusty  highways. 

At  9:30  A.  M.  General  Sherman,  accompanied 
by  Mr.  Stoddard  and  Hon.  L.  B.  Gunckel,  ar- 
rived at  the  grounds,  where  the  General  of  the 
army  of  the  United  States  was  received  with 
military  honors. 


190  THE   NATIONAL   HOME    FOR 

A  graceful  triple  arch  spanned  the  gate,  in- 
scribed in  front, 

"  Honor  to  the  Brave ! 

WELCOME    SHERMAN! 

From  Atlanta  to  the  Sea!" 

On  the  other  side, 

"  In  memory  of  our  Fallen  Comrades." 

Following  the  Soldiers'  Home  Band,  and  es- 
corted by  a  guard  of  honor,  General  Sherman 
proceeded  to  the  Home.  Passing  the  battery  he 
was  greeted  with  the  customary  general's  salute, 
and  in  front  of  head- quarters  struck  the  head  of 
the  line  of  veterans  drawn  up  in  form  to  receive 
him,  the  orphans  of  soldiers  from  the  Home  at 
Xenia  on  the  extreme  left,  the  firemen  of  the 
Home  with  their  gay  uniforms  and  shining  ap- 
paratus on  the  right.  Rising,  with  his  head  un- 
covered, General  Sherman  saluted  the  veterans 
and  proceeded  to  Music  Hall. 

The  ceremonies  there  were  brief.  The  soldiers' 
orphans  from  the  Home  at  Xenia  occupied  the 
right  of  the  hall,  the  G.  A.  R.  the  center,  and  the 
veterans,  with  a  few  civilians,  filled  the  remaining 
space.  On  the  stage  was  Resident  Manager 
Gunckel,  General  Sherman,  Lieutenant-governor 
Lee,  Major-general  T.  J.  Wood,  Major-general 
W.  H.  Gibson,  Chaplains  Byers  and  Earnshaw, 


DISABLED   VOLUNTEER   SOLDIERS.  191 

Rev.  W.  W.  Ramsey,  Rev.  R.  A.  Sawyer,  Rev. 
J.R.Hughes,  and  others.  General  Sherman  was 
greeted  warmly  by  the  veterans  who  recognized 
him  at  once. 

Hon.  L.  B.  Gunckel,  with  his  usual  good  taste 
and  lispatch,  promptly  arose  and  said: 

"  It  was  related  that  a  gentleman  once  kindly  offered  to  in- 
troduce an  old  French  soldier  to  Napoleon.  'Thank  you,' 
said  the  veteran,  who  had  followed  Napoleon  through  all 
his  campaigns,  '  thank  you,  but  we've  seen  each  other  before  /' 
He  said  he  would  not  repeat  that  mistake  by  presuming  to 
introduce  their  distinguished  guest,  General  Sherman,  to  his 
own  soldiers ,-  they  had  met  each  other  before.  He  simply  de- 
sired in  behalf  of  the  veterans  and  of  the  officers  and  man- 
agers to  thank  General  Sherman,  that  on  a  day  observed  all 
over  the  country,  when  a  hundred  cities  would  have  been 
proud  to  have  claimed  him  as  their  guest,  he  had  chosen  to 
come  back  to  his  old  soldiers  and  unite  with  them  in  doing 
honor  to  the  memory  of  their  fallen  comrades.  Because 
these  veterans  had  loved  him  as  their  leader,  and  now  they 
had  reason  to  love  him  as  their  friend,  they  bid  him  a  wel- 
come— a  thousand  times  welcome  to  their  home." 

After  the  applause  had  subsided,  General  Sher- 
man arose  and  addressed  himself  to  his  "  old  com- 
rades" and  the  assembly.  He  told  them  that  he 
did  not  come  to  make  speeches  to  them,  because 
he  knew  that  others  had  prepared  for  that;  but 
he  came  to  see  how  the  old  soldiers  were  getting 
along ;  to  see  whether  his  country  and  his  coun- 
trymen were  doing  their  duty  by  those  who  had 
served  them  faithfully;  whether  the  country  was 
doing  justice  to  the  old  soldiers.  Even  the  short 
time  he  had  been  there  had  justified  his  hopes. 


192  THE   NATIONAL  HOME  FOR 

He  would  say  that  from  his  observations  that  if 
there  is  a  predominant  feeling  in  the  country,  it  is 
that  the  old  soldiers  who  suffered  for  their  country 
should  spend  the  rest  of  their  days  happily ;  that, 
they  should  have  the  best  compensation  that  a 
grateful  country  could  wisely  and  justly  offer  them. 
This  is  no  charity,  but  only  what  the  veterans 
have  a  right  to  demand ;  and  to  get  this  they  have 
only  to  ask  it.  It  was  pleasant  to  him  to  feel  as- 
sured that  he  could  now  go  elsewhere  and  tell 
other  old  soldiers  how  happy  the  veterans  are  at 
your  beautiful  home.  General  Sherman  proceeded 
to  speak  of  the  expenditures  of  the  Government 
at  the  present  time  for  pensions,  and  in  other 
ways  for  the  benefit  of  soldiers,  his  remarks  be- 
ing perfectly  soldierly,  and  in  marked  contrast 
with  the  ordinary  political  rhetoric  of  the  times 
upon  such  occasions.  He  proceeded  to  reiterate 
that  no  patriot  ever  thought  of  the  military  asy- 
lums as  a  charity,  but  as  a  matter  of  justice  to 
men  who  had  sacrificed  everything  for  the  flag. 
And  this  entitled  them  to  demand  just  what  they 
have  at  the  Home.  It  was  a  proud  thought  to  him 
that  no  demand  had  been  made;  but  the  country 
had  not  only  fulfilled  its  contract  with  the  soldiers, 
but  it  had  manifested  a  sense  of  honor  which  is 
above  all  contracts".  General  Sherman  now  briefly 
and  eloquently  touched  on  the  past,  which,  he  said, 


DISABLED   VOLUNTEER  SOLDIERS.  193 

he  dare  not  venture  upon,  for  lie  knew  not  where 
it  would  take  him.  The  inscriptions  about  the 
halls,  names  of  many  great  battles,  re-called  scenes 
and  incidents  which  fill  a  soldier's  heart;  things 
worthy  of  perpetual  remembrance ;  things  which 
can  not  be  forgotten;  things  and  incidents  and 
scenes  that  will  bind  our  hearts  and  our  Union 
together  forever  and  ever.  (Applause.) 

Colonel  Brown  now  announced  that  after  a  song 
by  the  sol  dies'  orphans  they  would  repair  to  the 
cemetery;  and  at  the  word  of  command  by  Mr. 
Cooper,  a  merchant  of  Xenia,  eighty-three  little 
fellows, — girls  and  boys, — led  by  a  lad  of  thirteen 
or  fourteen,  sung  "  Ked,  "White,  and  Blue,'5  with 
cheerful  voices,  and  in  excellent  time  and  measure. 

The  procession  to  the  cemetery  was  under  com- 
mand of  Colonel  Brown,  and  formed  in  the  fol- 
lowing order:  1.  Music;  2.  Military  escort  of 
General  Sherman;  3.  Grand  Army;  4.  Soldiers' 
orphans;  5.  Orator  (General  W.  H.  Gibson), 
Chaplain  Earnshaw,  invited  guests,  and  veterans ; 
6.  Citizens  and  fire  department  ot  the  Home. 

This  formed  a  picturesque  pageant  passing 
through  the  pleasant  grounds  and  groves  to  the 
cemetery,  into  which  none  passed  but  the  orphans, 
guests,  orators,  decorative  committees,  and  a  com- 
pany of  veterans  with  the  full  equipments  of  sol- 
diers The  great  crowd  of  citizens  encircled  the 


194:  THE   NATIONAL   HOME    FOR 

quiet  forest  cemetery,  outside  a  cordon  of  solemn 
veterans,  who  contemplated  the  one  hundred  and 
twelve  grassy  graves  before  them  with  serious 
mien.  In  the  center  stood  General  Sherman  and 
a  group  of  guests  surrounded  by  soldiers'  or- 
phans. A  broken  cannon,  wreathed  with  memo- 
rial flowers,  formed  a  pretty  perspective  to  the 
striking  tableau. 

A  touching  and  beautiful  prayer  was  offered 
by  Eev.  R.  A.  Sawyer,  of  the  Third  Street  Pres- 
byterian church,  when  the  following  graceful  and 
pathetic  opening  address  was  delivered  by  Chap- 
lain Earnshaw : 

General  Sherman,  ladies,  and  gentlemen : — In  the  name 
and  behalf  of  Veteran  Post  No.  5,  G.  A.  R.,  I  greet  you  on 
these  sacred  grounds.  You  come  here  by  invitation  to  join 
us  in  paying  a  tearful  tribute,  expressed  in  the  beautiful  and 
touching  language  of  flowers,  to  the  memory  of  the  gallant 
dead  whose  sacred  dust  lies  here  under  our  guardianship. 

The  peculiar  relation  the  men  who  sleep  beneath  these 
grassy  mounds  sustains  to  our  country  calls  for  services  some- 
what extraordinary.  When  the  "war  of  five  hundred  bat- 
tles" closed  these  men,  unlike  tens  of  thousands,  had  no  happy 
home  to  go  to  and  there  receive  the  welcome  plaudits,  and 
have  placed  on  their  brows  the  victor's  laurels  by  the  fair 
hands  of  admiring  loved  ones.  They  had  fought  as  bravely, 
and  surely  they  had  suffered  as  much  as  others ;  but  not  un- 
til this  great  republic  had  spread  her  grateful  and  protecting 
wings  over  them  and  threw  her  mighty  arms  around  them 
by  means  of  this  great  national  institution,  did  they  feel  that 
they  had  found  a  resting-place  for  their  tired  and  scattered 
bodies — a  home  and  a  peaceful  place  in  which  to  die. 

It  is  proper  then  that  you,  kind  friends,  should  take  the 
places  of  father  and  mother,  brother  and  sister,  in  the  sol- 
emn ceremonies  held  here  to-day.  And  how  strikingly  and 
affectingly  appropriate  it  is  that  these  dear  little  orphans, 


DISABLED   VOLUNTEER  SOLDIERS.  195 

whose  fathers'  graves  are  this  hour  receiving  similar  honors 
on  distant  southern  battle-fields,  should  be  the  ones  selected 
to-day  to  lay  our  hearts'  tribute  on  the  breasts  of  these  sleep- 
ing heroes.  And  it  is  eminently  fitting  that  the  illustrious 
commander  of  our  armies  should  make  a  pilgrimage  from 
the  center  of  the  government  to  this  place  of  all  others  in 
the  land,  thereby  showing  how  his  great  heart  can  love  and 
revere  the  memory  of  our  gallant  dead. 

Since  our  organization  three  years  ago  we  have  stood  by 
to  see  one  hundred  and  forty  of  our  comrades  "  mustered 
out"  of  service  on  earth  for  "promotion,"  we  trust,  in  the 
"army  of  heaven."  And  here  are  their  graves.  Let  us 
with  full  hearts  do  them  honor,  ever  remembering  how 
cheerfully  they  buckled  on  their  country's  armor,  and  how 
they  stood  by  the  dear  "old  flag;  "  how  they  lingered  and 
suffered  for  years  ere  they  were  permitted  to  die.  "  May 
their  patriotism  and  their  deeds  of  valor  live  forever." 

The  tableau  of  strewing  flowers  upon  the  graves 
was  very  beautiful  and  impressive,  and  the  moral 
irresistible.  General  Shermau  afterward  spoke  ot 
it  as  a  scene  to  make  patriots  and  soldiers. 

Colonel  Brown,  governor  of  the  Home,  advanced 
and  said  that  while  General  Sherman  had  re- 
fused to  speak,  he  knew  he  would  upon  demand ; 
and  presently  the  requisition  was  so  mandatory 
that  refusal  was  out  of  the  question. 

General  Sherman  said  again  that  he  did  not 
visit  the  Home  to  make  speeches,  but  he  had  been 
gratified  beyond  measure  to  visit  this  beautiful 
place.  It  had  surprised  him.  He  had  not  antic- 
ipated what  he  saw.  It  was  gracious  in  the  sight 
of  man,  and  he  doubted  not  it  was  so  in  the  sight 
of  God.  The  scenes  and  incidents  of  the  day  were 
very  beautiful.  They  were  grateful  to  an  old 


196  THE  NATIONAL   HOME   FOR 

soldier.  He  was  sure  that  all  the  veterans  before 
him  would  feel  better  to  know  that  after  he  dies 
some  sweet  little  child — the  child  of  some  brave 
soldier — would  strew  his  grave  with  flowers  in 
memory  of  the  good  deeds  he  had  done.  He 
knew  that  he  felt  better  when  such  thoughts  came 
to  him  as  they  did  now.  The  moral  lesson  was  forc- 
ible. It  impressed  the  mothers  and  these  fathers 
about  us.  It  enkindled  patriotism  ;  it  made  sol- 
diers for  future  wars.  It  was  beautiful  to  be  under 
the  influence  of  scenes  like  this.  These  beautiful 
beeches,  which  were  not  new  to  him  because  he 
had  been  familiar  with  them  for  fifty  years  and 
more,  and  not  very  far  from  this  place, — for  he  was 
born  and  raised  in  Ohio, — he  said,  were  the  best 
temples  for  thought  and  free  intercourse — better 
far  than  churches  surmounted  by  the  tallest 
steeples.  It  had  been  well  said  that  the  groves 
were  God's  first  temples. 

The  General  then  addressed  himself  more  di- 
rectly to  the  soldiers.  He  knew  they  felt  kindly 
toward  him.  They  had  been  together  in  times 
that  tried  men.  They  had  been  true  to  each 
other,  and  God  knows  they  had  tried  to  be  true 
to  each  other.  They  had  been  together  amid 
scenes  which  knit  men  to  each  other.  No  other 
men  knew  how  they  feel.  No  other  men  knew 
how  worthy  their  deeds  are  of  perpetual  remem- 


DISABLED   VOLUNTEER   SOLDIERS.  197 

brance.  God  forbid  that  we  should  have  more 
war  in  his  time;  yet  we  may  have  war,  and  such 
scenes  as  have  been  witnessed  to-day  will  make 
soldiers  for  our  armies,  for  soldiers  see  that  our 
countrymen  are  greatful  and  will  redeem  their 
promises.  Again  thanking  the  audience  for  their 
personal  compliments  to  him,  General  Sherman 
bowed  and  retired,  when  after  a  benediction  ot 
liev.  Mr.  Ramsey  the  audience  dispersed,  and  the 
procession  moved  back  to  head-quarters  where  it 
was  dismissed. 

General  Sherman  was  now  conducted  through 
the  new  hospital  and  all  the  various  departments 
of  the  Home,  and  then  after  a  generous  luncheon 
enjoyed  by  many  others  at  Colonel  Brown's 
quarters,  he  was  conducted  back  to  the  city  to  par- 
ticipate in  the  decoration  ceremonies  of  Dayton.. 

The  visit  of  the  General  was  very  grateful  to 
the  old  soldiers,  so  many  of  whom  had  served 
under  his  command  in  various  fields,  especially 
from  Atlanta  to  the  sea ;  and  he  said  it  was  es- 
pecially pleasant  to  him,  because  facts  were  pre- 
sented to  him  of  which  he  did  not  dream.  The 
Home  was  beautiful  to  him,  worthy  of  the  Gov- 
ernment, and  reflects  great  credit  upon  those  who 
have  transformed  it  into  an  asylum  of  genuine 
beauty  and  thorough  comfort.  It  was,  in  short,  a 
fair  redemption  of  fair  promises  to  soldiers  of  the 
republic. 


198  THE  NATIONAL  HOME   FOR 

VISIT  OF  PRESIDENT  GRANT,  WIFE,  AND  DAUGH- 
TER, OCTOBER  3,  1871. 

Soon  after  one  o'clock  the  President,  accom- 
panied by  Attorney-general  Akerman,  Hon.  L. 
B.  Guuckel,  and  General  Wood,  followed  by 
visitors  from  a  distance,  the  Dayton  committee, 
and  a  long  procession  of  carriages,  proceeded 
rapidly  to  the  Soldiers'  Home  in  a  cloud  of  dust 
that  utterly  prevented  sight-seeing. 

At  the  gate  of  the  Home  sentries  were  on  guard 
as  in  camp,  and  presented  arms  upon  the  approach 
of  the  commander-in-chief.  So  all  the  wa}r  up 
the  grand  avenue.  As  the  procession  approached 
the  battery  a  thundering  salute  of  twenty-one 
guns  was  fired ;  the  band  played  "  Hail  to  the 
Chief,"  and  afterward,  "  The  Conquering  Hero 
Conies." 

Turning  the  corner  at  head-quarters  a  thousand 
veterans  were  seen  drawn  up  in  accurate  line  upon 
the  parade-ground,  officers  in  front,  as  on  dress- 
parade.  The  carriages  passed  through  an  arch 
inscribed : 


WELCOME  TO  THE  PRESIDENT. 
Vicksburg  and  Appomattox. 


The  arch  was  crowned  with  a  portrait  of  the 
president,  and  guards  were  on  the  top  and  at  the 
base  on  either  side,  making  a  striking  tableau. 


DISABLED   VOLUNTEER  SOLDIERS.  199 

The  President  and  his  company  drew  up  and 
alighted  in  front  of  the  colors,  and  after  saluting 
the  officers  passed  in  review  down  the  front  and 
up  between  the  lines  which  had  assumed  the  open- 
order  form.  Afterward  the  President  took  po- 
sition on  the  right  of  the  line  and  the  veterans 
passed  him  in  review,  in  columns  of  fours,  to  the 
chapel.  "While  the  men  were  passing  into  the 
chapel  the  President  was  driven  about  the  grounds. 

At  about  two  o'clock  the  President  appeared 
upon  the  platform  of  the  chapel  and  was  greeted 
with  hearty  applause.  He  sat  upon  the  right,  and 
was  the  object  of  unusual  observation.  Manager 
Gunckel,  Attorney-general  Akerman,  Governor 
Brown,  and  others  also,  had  seats  upon  the  plat- 
form. Ladies  were  seated  upon  the  right  and 
left,  and  the  auditorium  was  crowded  with  <eager 
veterans.  After  music  by  the  Home  Band,  Man- 
ager Gunckel  addressed  the  President  as  follows: 

Mr.  President: — The  officers  and  veterans  of  this  the  cen- 
tral branch  of  the  National  Asylum  for  Disabled  Volunteer 
Soldiers  have  placed  upon  me  the  very  pleasant  duty  of 
giving  you  a  formal  welcome,  and  of  extending  you  the 
freedom  and  hospitality  of  their  home.  They  bid  you  wel- 
come as  the  president  of  the  United  States ;  welcome  as  the 
commander-in-chief  of  the  army  and  navy;  welcome  as  one 
of  the  Board  of  Managers,  ex  officio,  of  this  and  the  other 
branches  of  the  national  asylum  ;  welcome  as  their  dear 
old  commander,  who  shared  with  them  the  sufferings  and 
dangers  of  war,  who  led  them  from  battle  to  victory,  from 
Fort  Donelson  to  Appomattox.  Seventeen  hundred  and 
fifty  disabled  soldiers  unite  cordially  and  heartily  in  this 
welcome.  They  are  not  all  here  to-day.  Three  hundred 
15 


200  THE   NATIONAL   HOME  FOB 

are  upon  hospital  beds,  and  as  many  more  are  absent  on 
furlough  visiting  relatives  and  friends.  Of  those  that  are 
here,  nearly  fifty  are  blind,  some  two  hundred  have  lost 
each  a  leg,  over  one  hundred  and  fifty  have  lost  each  an 
arm,  a  few  have  lost  both  legs,  and  a  few  others  both  arms. 
All  have  been  honorably  discharged  from  the  army  during 
the  war  of  1812  or  the  recent  one  for  the  suppression  of  the 
rebellion,  and  all  have  been  disabled  by  wounds  received  or 
sickness  contracted  in  the  service.  Some  of  them  served 
under  your  immediate  command,  others  see  you  to-day  for 
the  first  time.  In  all  probability  few  of  them  will  ever  see 
you  again ;  but  they  will  all  bear  with  them  through  life 
the  pleasure  of  this  happy  day. 

Sometimes  when  depressed  with  sickness  and  pain  they 
have  feared  that  you  had  forgotten  them,  and  ceased  to  care 
for  or  sympathize  with  them ;  but  all  their  doubts  and  fears 
are  dispelled  to-day,  and  they  now  feel  and  know  that  you 
are  their  friend,  and  the  friend  of  all  disabled  soldiers,  and 
the  friend  of  the  widows  and  orphans  of  their  fallen  com- 
rades. Their  happy  faces  show  how  much  your  visit  has 
gladdened  their  hearts;  for  whatever  their  ages  or  dis- 
ability, all  are  young  and  well  and  happy  to-day.  Welcome 
then,  Mr.  President,  a  thousand  times  welcome,  to  the  Sol- 
diers' Home. 


President  Grant,  who  arose  when  addressed  by 
Mr.  Gunckel,  and  stood  during  his  address,  ad- 
vanced a  little,  and  with  a  modesty  that  encroached 
upon  timidity,  said,  substantially,  that  to  the  vet- 
erans before  him  on  this  occasion  he  desired  to 
express  his  sincere  gratification  to  meet  them. 
It  gratified  him  to  see  them  so  comfortable  and 
happy.  They  had  received  their  wounds  in  an 
honorable  cause  and  deserved  the  gratitude  of  the 
people.  It  was  true  that  this  was  the  first  time 
he  had  visited  them ;  but  this  was  owing  to  cir- 
cumstances he  could  not  control.  Hereafter  he 


THE  THOMAS  LIBRARY 


1" 


DISABLED   VOLUNTEER   SOLDIERS.  201 

would  make  it  a  point  to  visit  them  not  only  at 
this  Home  but  at  the  others.  After  again  ex- 
pressing his  sympathy  with  the  veterans  who  had 
been  disabled  in  the  honorable  cause  for  which 
they  fought,  the  President  thanked  them  for 
their  cordial  welcome  and  resumed  his  seat,  the 
veterans  giving  him  nine  hearty  cheers. 

The  President  was  taken  from  the  chapel  to  the 
library,  where  he  recorded  his  autograph;  thence 
to  the  hospital,  where  he  spent  a  half  hour  in- 
specting that  department  and  chatting  with  af- 
flicted veterans;  thence  fo  the  garden  and  bar- 
racks ;  concluding  his  visit  by  calling  at  Governor 
Brown's  quarters,  where  he  was  courteously  en- 
tertained. At  about  five  o'clock  he  returned  to 
the  city. 

Mrs.  Grant  and  her  daughter,  Miss  Nellie,  mean- 
time were  quietly  escorted  to  the  Home  by  Judge 
Lowe.  They  had  declined  all  formal  receptions 
and  courtesies,  preferring  a  quiet  visit. 

MR.  MURDOCK  AT  THE  SOLDIERS'  HOME. 

In  compliance  with  an  invitation  from  the  of- 
ficers in  charge  of  the  Soldiers'  Home,  Mr.  James 
E.  Murdock  read  to  the  invalid  soldiers.  In  or- 
der to  do  so  he  gave  up  an  engagement  for  the 
evening,  sacrificing,  as  he  has  ever  done,  his  own 
interests  for  the  good  and  even  for  the  pleasure  of 


202  THE   NATIONAL   HOME   FOR 


the  soldiers.  No  more  enthusiastic  audience 
could  have  greeted  the  eminent  elocutionist  and 
patriot,  nor  indeed  a  more  appreciative  one ;  for 
to  almost  every  soldier  he  appeared  as  a  friend, 
seen  and  heard  by  southern  camp-fires  and  in 
hospitals,  not  so  long  ago  that  their  wounds  are 
yet  healed,  although  we  sometimes  seem  to  forget 
we  ever  had  a  war. 

The  same  love  of  country  that  had  led  the  sol- 
dier to  do  battle  in  her  defense  and  carried  the 
reader  to  the  rostrum  to  provide  for  his  helpless 
little  ones,  now  held  them  en  rapport,  as  Murdock 
read  to  crippled  soldiers  of  the  march,  the  battle, 
the  bivouac. 

Mr.  Gunckel  introduced  Mr.  Murdock  with 
well-chosen  words  of  eulogy,  heartily  responded 
to  by  the  soldiers.  The  entertainment  was  of 
that  charming  character  when  the  reader  seems 
less  a  teacher  than  a  friend,  talking  to  soldiers 
familiarly  about  what  was  to  them  most  interest- 
ing. The  poems  read  were  of  the  highest  order, 
chiefly  of  the  war, — the  Destruction  of  Senna- 
cherib ;  the  Fight  at  the  Ford,  from  T.  Buchanan 
Read's  poem ;  the  Wild  Wagoner,  of  the  Alle- 
ghany ;  Sheridan's  Ride  ;  Barbara  Freichie, — all 
given  in  the  inimitable  style  that  has  made  Mur- 
dock the  greatest  reader  of  the  age, — linked  to- 
gether by  incidents  of  battle  and  personal  rein- 


DISABLED   VOLUNTEER   SOLDIERS.  203 

iniscenses  of  the  great  generals,  particularly  of 
Grant  and  Sheridan.  In  referring  to  the  dark 
days  of  national  disaster  following  the  death  of 
Abraham  Lincoln,  the  four  years  of  Andrew 
Johnson's  disgraceful  occupancy  of  the  presiden- 
tial chair,  he  said  that  the  great  artificer  had  found 
that  link  in  the  chain  of  our  national  history  de- 
fective, and  casting  it  out  had  welded  together 
Lincoln  and  Grant,  clasping  over  his  unworthi- 
ness  the  hands  of  justice  and  right. 

THE  LINGARD   COMEDY  COMPANY  AT   THE  SOL- 
DIERS' HOME. 

Mr.  "William  Horace  Lingard  and  his  splendid 
comedy  troupe  visited  the  Soldiers'  Home  to  en- 
tertain the  veterans — in  whom  they  manifested 
intense  and  sincere  interest — with  a  matinee.  The 
prevalence  of  the  horse-disease  made  it  impossible 
to  provide  transportation  for  the  company.  CoL- 
onel  Brown  telegraphed  that  every  horse  in  the 
institution  was  afflicted  with  epizooty.  "With  char^ 
acteristic  promptness,  the  manager  replied  that  the 
Lingards  would  certainly  come  "if  they  had  to 
foot  it," — and  foot  it  most  of  them  did,  carrying 
their  baggage  to  the  terminus  of  the  street- rail- 
road route.  Arriving  at  the  Home,  the  Lingards 
were  most  hospitably  received  by  Colonel  Brown, 
Chaplain  Earnshaw,  and  their  ladies,  and  after 


204  THE   NATIONAL  HOME   FOR 

partaking  of  an  excellent  Thanksgiving  dinner 
were  conducted  to  the  Music  Hall,  which  was 
crowded  to  excess  with  disabled  veterans.  The 
performance  commenced  with  the  charming  com- 
edy of  "Delicate  Ground,"  with  Mr.  Lingard 
and  Miss  Alice  Dunning  Lingard  in  the  leading 
role.  Next  came  Lingard's  unsurpassable  songs 
and  sketches,  which  pleased  the  soldiers  beyond 
words.  Lingard's  impersonation  of  General  Grant 
was  the  signal  for  loud  and  prolonged  applause, 
and  then  came  repeated  calls  from  all  parts  of  the 
house  for  "  Butler,"  "  General  Butler."  Mr.  Ling- 
ard appeared  before  the  curtain  and  expressed  his 
regret  that  he  could  not  accede  to  the  request  of 
the  audience,  as  he  did  not  have  General  Butler's 
"make-up"  with  him.  He  assured  the  soldiers 
that  they  were  always  in  his  recollection,  and 
that  he  would  ever  be  ready  to  second  their  wishes 
whenever  he  visited  Dayton.  He  thanked  his  at- 
tentive audience,  and  retired  amid  a  storm  of 
huzzas.  The  afterpiece,  "A  Day  After  the 
Wedding,"  introduced  Miss  Dickie  Lingard,  Mr. 
and  Miss  Hudson,  and  Mr.  Ryer  to  splendid  ad- 
vantage. They  all  did  their  utmost  to  please, 
and  displayed  their  respective  abilities  in  a  mas- 
terly manner.  At  the  conclusion  of  the  perform- 
ance Colonel  Brown  addressed  the  veterans.  He 
said  that  through  the  kindness  of  Mr.  0,  G.  Ber- 


DISABLED   VOLUNTEER  SOLDIERS.  205 

nard  the  Lingards  were  enabled  to  give  them  this 
pleasant  and  entertaining  matinee,  and  that  to  him 
and  the  party  a  vote  of  thanks  was  due ;  and  he 
proposed  for  them  three  cheers,  which  were  given 
with  a  hearty  good- will.  In  response  to  the 
colonel's  question  whether  the  soldiers  desired 
another  matinee  from  the  Lingards  at  some  future 
time  came  a  simultaneous  shout  of  "ay"  that 
truly  indicated  the  welcome  in  store  for  them. 
As  the  party  left  the  ground,  one  by  one  the  sol- 
diers heartily  shook  hands  with  them ;  and  while 
the  beautiful  northern  lights  were  illuminating 
the  heavens,  one  could  not,  help  but  be  touched 
with  the  outward  emotion  that  pervaded  the  vast 
multitude  as  they,  one  and  all,  bade  the  Lingards 
"  good-by,"  and  "  God  bless  you." 

SOLDIERS'  GRATITUDE  TO  THE  LADIES  OF 
DAYTON. 

The  disabled  veterans  can  never  say  to  the  ladies 
of  Dayton,  "  I  was  sick  and  ye  visited  me  not," 
for  almost  daily  the  wards  of  the  hospital  are 
brightened  by  faces  that  call  to  mind  wife  and 
daughter  and  sister.  Without  disparagement  to 
others,  especial  mention  is  due  to»  the  Women's 
Christian  Association  for  the  systematic  and  care- 
ful manner  in  which  the  duty  of  comforting  those 
in  misfortune  is  performed. 

Two  most  enjoy  able  events  at  the  hospital  read- 


206  THE  NATIONAL   HOME   FOR 

ing-room  have  recently  been  given  under  the  au- 
spices of  this  association.  The  first  was  given  by 
a  portion  of  the  teachers  and  young  lady  pupils 
of  Cooper  Seminary,  assisted  by  Professor  Roberts, 
of  Yassar  College ;  and  the  earnest  attention  and 
frequent  applause  were  proof  that  the  delightful 
music  was  thoroughly  appreciated.  In  truth,  the 
veterans  at  first  were  in  some  danger  of  losing  the 
full  enjoyment  of  the  singing  by  their  interest  in 
and  admiration  of  the  bright,  happy  young  faces, 
so  suggestive  of  once  sunny  but  now  widely-sep- 
arated family  circles.  The  second  concert  was 
given  by  ladies  who  have  come  to  be  familiar  at  the 
Home,  and  are  felt  to  be  almost  personal  friends 
to  each  soldier — Mrs.  and  Miss  Sanford,  Mrs.  Huff- 
man, Miss  Wagoner,  Mrs.  John  II.  Winters,  and 
many  others. 

Previous  to  the  concert  several  appropriate  se- 
lections were  most  feelingly  sung  in  the  wards,  in 
which  were  many  men  not  able  to  leave  their 
beds ;  and  the  scene  will  be  long  remembered  by 
those  who  witnessed  it. 

We  doubt  if  the  ladies  thus  kind  to  the  sick 
and  often  disheartened  soldiers  realize  how  much 
good  their  visits  do,  or  how  many  heart-felt  bless- 
ings follow  them  to  their  homes. 

ANNA  DICKINSON  AT  THE  HOME. 
When  Anna  Dickinson  visited  the  Home  she 


DISABLED   VOLUNTEER   SOLDIERS.  207 

came  upon  the  stage  characteristically — cool,  self- 
possessed,  and  as  manly  as  can  be  imagined ;  laid 
aside  her  hat  and  gloves  with  imperturbability ; 
and  then  she  had  a  trial.  Something  less  than  a 
thousand  one-legged,  one-armed,  and  otherwise 
maimed  soldiers  sat  before  her.  Anna  had  seen 
many  such  when  they  were  suffering  from  fresh 
wounds  and  desperate  camp-sickness  during  the 
war,  arid  had  done  a  good  woman's  part  in  alle- 
viating their  sufferings.  She  has  wept  with  them 
in  camp,  soothed  them  in  sorrow,  cried  over  their 
tortures,  and  sympathized  with  and  comforted 
them  as  a  sister  would.  But  she  had  seen  noth- 
ing like  this  war-picture.  When  she  turned  to 
the  veterans  the  whole  panorama  of  war  presented 
itself  to  her  vision.  Her  beautiful  eyes  filled 
with  tears,  which  she  tried  in  vain  to  fling  away 
with  her  white-jeweled  fingers,  and  then  with  a 
half  sob  she  said,  "  I  knew,  when  I — was — asked, 
that — I — couldn't  talk  to  you;  but — I  can  cry 
with  you."  Had  it  been  mere  acting  it  would 
have  been  perfect ;  but  everybody  saw  how  truly 
womanly  it  was ;  and  it  was  the  best  thing  that 
has  happened  in  that  way  at  the  Soldiers'  Home. 
Tt  made  other  people  not  used  to  the  melting 
mood  whip  out  their  handkerchiefs.  The  women 
in  the  audience  cried,  and  the  men  felt  very  much 
in  love  with  Anna.  After  this  perfectly  happy  ep- 


208  THE   NATIONAL   HOME   FOR 

isode,  Anna  was  herself  again.  Eloquence  flowed 
as  water  from  Horeb  when  the  rod  of  inspiration 
opened  the  rock.  She  reminded  the  gallant  men 
before  her  of  the  struggles  and  trials,  of  their 
warfares,  of  the  cause  which  enlisted  their  serv- 
ices, of  the  principles  for  which  they  bled,  of  the 
honors  they  had  won,  of  the  gratitude  to  which 
they  were  entitled,  and  of  the  love  they  com- 
manded from  good  women  and  good  men.  Full 
of  passionate  earnestness,  she  had  the  veterans 
soaring  with  the  mightly  voices  of  soldiers  in 
victory,  then  weeping  like  women.  The  scene 
was  hard  to  describe,  though  delightful  to  wit- 
ness and  to  feel.  Anna  and  the  woman  surpassed 
all  she  had  ever  accomplished  as  the  advocate  of 
the  cause  which  had  engaged  her  eloquence  for 
so  many  years.  Nobody  could  describe  the  en- 
thusiasm of  the  veterans.  Anna  Dickinson's 
visit  will  long  be  cherished  by  the  veterans  as  a 
delightful  episode.  After  an  address  of  an  hour 
she  enjoyed  the  hospitalities  of  Colonel  Brown, 
and  then  visited  all  the  departments  of  the  Home, 
lingering  most  lovingly  in  the  hospital,  where  the 
sweet  attentions  of  women  are  so  full  of  blessings 
to  suffering  soldiers. 

BAYARD  TAYLOR  AT  THE  HOME. 

Mr.  Bayard  Taylo-r  visited  the  Home  with  Mr. 


DISABLED   VOLUNTEER   SOLDIERS.  209 

Gunckel ;  and  after  inspecting  the  buildings  and 
grounds  he  found  himself  in  Music  Hall,  before  a 
large  audience.  The  soldiers  gave  him  an  en- 
thusiastic welcome,  and  he  made  them  a  pleasant 
speech,  closing  with  a  recitation  of  the  beautiful 
ode  written  by  him  and  delivered  at  the  inaugu- 
ration of  the  National  Monument  of  Gettysburg. 
Mr.  Taylor  says  that  in  his  travels  he  has  found 
nowhere  a  home  for  disabled  soldiers  so  comfort- 
able, pleasant,  and  delightful  as  the  one  here  at 
Dayton.  A  compliment  from  such  a  source  may 
well  be  gratifying  to  all  concerned  in  building  up 
and  sustaining  this  great  institution. 

MASONIC  VISIT  TO  THE  SOLDIERS'  HOME. 

When  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Freemasons  was  in 
session  in  Dayton  it  accepted,  with  many  thanks, 
an  invitation  to  visit  the  national  Soldiers'  Home, 
and  agreed  to  visit  the  institution  as  a  body.  But 
the  pressure  of  business  and  the  desire  for  an  early 
adjournment  prevented  the  programme  from  being 
carried  out.  However,  about  one  hundred  of  the 
number  went  out  and  were  formally  welcomed  by 
Mr.  Gunckel  in  behalf  of  the  managers  and  Gen- 
eral Ingraham  in  behalf  of  the  officers  and  men. 
Responses  were  made  by  Hon.  Mills  Gardner,  of 
Fayette  County,  General  Thomas  L.  Young,  of 
Cincinnati,  and  Chaplain  Byers,  of  Columbus. 


210  THE   NATIONAL   HOME  FOR 

The  visitors  were  then  shown  over  the  grounds 
and  into  the  several  buildings,  and  entertained 
with  music,  etc.  They  all  expressed  their  surprise 
and  delight  at  what  had  been  accomplished  in  the 
short  space  of  one  year,  and  the  very  great  pleas- 
ure which  the  visit  had  afforded  them  of  seeing 
one  of  the  noteworthy  institutions  of  the  country. 

DISTINGUISHED  VISITORS. 

Among  the  noted  personages  who  visited  the 
Home,  the  names  of  Horace  Greeley,  Wendell 
Phillips,  Archbishop  Purcell,  and  Henry  Vincent 
are  not  to  be  overlooked.  Want  of  space  neces- 
sarily precludes  the  particulars  of  the  warm  re- 
ception they  received. 

THE  LADIES  OF  THE  HOME. 

From  our  description  of  the  Home  and  its  va- 
rious attractions  it  must  not  be  inferred  that  the 
presence  of  woman's  gentle  influence  is  invisible. 
To  the  contrary,  the  wives  and  daughters  of  the 
officers  and  others  intimately  connected  with  the 
Home  take  a  lively  interest  in  all  the  various  as- 
sociations, celebrations,  and  amusements.  On 
decoration-day  they  are  particularly  active  in 
contributing  to  the  beautiful  floral  and  other 
tributes ;  and  they  have  from  time  to  time  con- 
tributed largely  to  the  enjoyment  of  the  inmates 


DISABLED   VOLUNTEER   SOLDIERS.  211 

by  getting  up  and  actively  participating  in  grand 
tableaux,  and  dramatic  and  musical  exhibitions. 

THE  VETERAN'S  BENEFACTRESS— MRS.  MARY 
LOWELL  PUTNAM. 

Lowell  is  the  name  of  a  distinguished  family  of 
Massachusetts,  descended  from  Percival  Lowell, 
a  merchant,  who  emigrated  from  Bristol,  England, 
and  settled  in  Newbury  in  1639,  where  he  died 
January  8,  1665.  Mary  Lowell  (Mrs.  Putnam), 
an  American  authoress  and  daughter  of  Charles 
D.  D.,  an  American  clergyman,  and  sister  of 
the  distinguished  American  authors,  James  Rus- 
sell and  Robert  Trail  Spencer  Lowell,  was  born 
in  Boston,  December  3,  1810,  and  married  April 
5,  1832,  to  Samuel  R.  Putnam,  a  merchant  of 
Boston.  Her  mother,  a  na,tive  of  New  Hamp- 
shire, descended  from  the  Scandinavian  family  of 
Trail,  or  Troil,  of  Orkney  Islands,  celebrated  in 
Scott's  "  Pirate."  Possessed  in  an  eminent  degree 
the  faculty  of  acquiring  languages,  Mrs.  Put- 
nam's attainments  in  this  direction  are  extraor- 
dinary, comprising  not  only  Latin,  Greek,  and 
Hebrew,  and  the  modern  tongues  of  western 
Europe,  but  Swedish,  Danish,  Polish,  Russian, 
Hungarian,  Turkish,  Sanskrit,  and  several  other 
oriental  languages.  She  has  contributed  many 
articles  to  the  North  American  Review,  and  to  the 


212  THE    NATIONAL   HOME    FOR 

Christian  Examiner;  and  two  of  her  articles  in  the 
latter  journal  (November,  1850,  and  March,  1851), 
in  reply  to  Professor  Bowen's  attack  on  Kos- 
suth  and  other  leaders  of  the  Hungarian  revolu- 
tion in  1848-9,  attracted  much  attention,  and  had 
a  marked  influence  on  public  opinion.  In  1851 
Mrs.  Putnam  went  to  Europe  with  her  husband 
and  children,  where  they  resided,  chiefly  in  France 
and  Germany,  till  1857,  meantime  prosecuting  her 
studies  in  languages  and  collecting  materials  for 
a  history  of  Hungary. 

The  pure  patriotism  of  Mrs.  Putnam  and  her 
zealous  devotion  to  the  interest  of  the  disabled 
veterans  are  carefully  set  forth  in  the  library  ar- 
ticle. How  dearly  she  lives  in  the  hearts  of  these 
men  is  best  described  in  the  ovation  which  she  re- 
ceived on  the  occasion  of  her  visit  to  the  Home 
on  the  fourth  day  of  July,  1872.  The  account  ot 
this  brilliant  reception  and  ever  memorable  oc- 
casion we  quote  from  the  Dayton  Journal  of  July 
6,  1872 : 

RECEPTION  OF  MRS.  MARY  LOWELL  PUTNAM. 

"No  public  occasion  during  the  brief  history  of  the  Sol- 
diers' Home  possessed  so  much  interest  either  to  the  inmates 
or  to  the  citizens  of  Dayton  as  the  celebration  of  the  Fourth 
at  that  institution  on  Thursday.  The  presence  of  Mrs. 
Mary  Lowell  Putnam  made  the  attraction  of  the  day.  And 
it  should  not  detract  from  the  patriotic  impulses  of  the  peo- 
ple on  the  national  anniversary  that  the  manifestation  of 
respect,  admiration,  and  reverence  for  this  noble-hearted 


DISABLED   VOLUNTEER   SOLDIERS.  213 

and  patriotic  American  woman  was  the  prominent  feature  of 
the  celebration.  Her  name  and  her  generous  interest  in  the 
comfort  and  welfare  of  the  veterans  were  known  to  every 
one.  To  the  thousands  who  visit  the  Home  the  Putnam 
Library  was  an  ever  present  testimonial  of  her  enlarged 
liberality  and  constant  care  for  the  needs  of  the  disabled 
soldier.  The  peculiar  circumstances  under  which  that  wom- 
an's heart  of  hers  was  moved  to  the  manifestation  of  its 
kindly  sympathy  for  the  veterans  make  up  a  part  of  the  sad 
history  of  the  war,  and  were  known  to  every  one.  All  were 
ready  and  anxious  to  do  honor  to  the  mother  who  thus 
sought  to  find  a  solace  for  the  loss  of  her  son  who  died 
righting  for  the  nation,  by  acts  of  munificent  generosity  to 
those  who  had  been  disabled  in  the  same  deadly  strife.  So 
the  presence  of  Mrs.  Putnam  was  an  event  anxiously  looked 
for,  and  its  actual  accomplishment  the  occasion  of  great-re- 
joicing. 

"A  more  delightful  day  could  not  have  been  desired  for 
the  celebration  of  the  national  anniversary.  Successive 
showers  of  rain,  with  any  amount  of  lightning  and  thunder, 
had  cooled  and  purified  the  atmosphere  on  Wednesday 
evening,  and  with  the  dawn  of  the  morning  -of  the  Fourth 
came  a  realization  of  the  'change  which  had  been  wrought 
by  the  storm  of  the  previous  night.  The  'fervent  heat' 
which  for  the  days  preceding  had  well-nigh  melted  '  the  ele- 
ments,' as  well  as  embodied  humanity,  came  not  as  before 
on  the  wings  of  the  morning,  but  instead,  a  cool,  refreshing 
breeze  and  a  partially  clouded  sky.  The  dust,  which  like  an 
unquiet  spirit  had  come  only  to  disturb  and  annoy,  was  ef- 
fectually laid,  and  all  nature  grew  bright,  refreshed,  by  the 
rain-fall,  and  delivered  for  the  time  from  the  scorching  heat. 
The  mercury  might  have  been  humiliated  by  its  sudden  fall 
if  the  thermometer  can  be  supposed  to  rejoice  when  its  tube 
is  filled  with  expanding  quicksilver.  If  one  hundred  is  its 
glory,  eighty  may  be  its  shame. 

"  It  is  not  surprising  therefore  that  as  the  people  breathed 
an  atmosphere  which  reminded  them  of  an  iceberg  rather 
than  of  the  'fiery  furnace,'  they  should  have  rejoiced  in  the 
good  day  which  had  come  to  them. 

"Before  ten  o'clock  in  the  morning  the  road  to  the  Sol- 
diers' Home  was  thronged  with  vehicles.  The  street-cars 
had  been  running  full  for  several  hours.  The  celebration 
at  the  Home  was  the  great  attraction.  The  buildings  and 
grounds  of  that  institution  were  dressed  in  holiday  suits  in 
honor  of  the  day  generally ;  but  specially  for  the  reception 
16 


214  THE   NATIONAL   HOME   FOR 

of  a  distinguished  guest  and  her  party.  The  buildings  were 
dressed  in  bunting;  the  old  flag  was  floating  from  the  tall 
staff  and  housetop,  veranda  and  doorway,  while  the  beau- 
tiful Chinese  lanterns,  showing  the  national  colors  and  in- 
scriptions of  welcome,  were  hanging  in  profusion  at  head- 
quarters, officers'  residences,  and  barracks.  The  scene  was 
most  delightful  and  inspiring. 

"Of  course  all  eyes  were  turned  upon  Mrs.  Putnam. 
Everybody  was  anxious  to  see  her.  During,  the  few  min- 
utes of  a  halt,  hundreds  of  persons  on  the  veranda  of  head- 
quarters, and  on  the  lawn,  without  offensive  obtrusiveness, 
were  able  to  gratify  their  curiosity  by  a  glance  at  the  face  of 
the  lady  with  whose  name  they  were  so  familiar  and  whose 
generous  nature  had  already  endeared  her  to  them.  If  there 
were  any  of  the  gazers  who  waited  for  a  sight  of  the  lady  to 
confirm  the  admiration  of  her  character,  which  they  had  so 
often  expressed,  the  confirmation  came  at  the  first  glance. 
Hers  was  a  very  delightful  face  to  look  upon, — intellectual, 
joyous,  fairly  radiant  with  delight  as  she  looked  for  the  first 
time  upon  the  suroundings  and  saw  before  her  and  around  her 
the  buildings  and  the  lawns  of  the  Soldiers'  Home,  in  which 
she  had  been  so  long  and  deeply  interested.  Before  her  was 
the  beautiful  arch  with  its  inscription  of  affectionate  welcome; 
to  her  right  the  head-quarters  with  a  tribute  of  remembrance 
and  greeting  suspended  above  the  entrance  to  the  Putnam 
Library,  in-  which  her  gifts  could  be  counted  by  the  thou- 
sands; to  the  left  the  barracks,  and  in  front  the  veterans 
in  double  line  waiting  to  become  a  guard  of  honor  to  the 
one  they  so  loved  and  revered;  and  then  the  more  distant 
buildings,  the  lake,  and  the  splendid  view  of  the  south-east, 
including  a  part  of  Dayton  and  the  country  in  the  dim  dis- 
tance beyond,  came  in  to  complete  the  picture.  It  is  not  sur- 
prising that  the  lady  was  charmed  with  the  prospect,  and 
with  the  appreciation  of  the  feeling  which  had  called  forth 
thousands  of  people  to  join  in  giving  her  a  cordial  and 
heart-felt  welcome  to  the  Soldiers'  Home. 

"Ten  o'clock  was  the  hour  fixed  for  the  commencement 
of  the  ceremonies  of  the  day.  The  veteians  were  in  line  in 
front  of  the  barracks,  the  porticoes  were  filled  with  ladies, 
groups  of  men  were  seen  everywhere  upon  the  lawn  and  the 
roadside,  all  anxiously  waiting  for  the  signal-gun  which 
should  announce  the  coming  of  the  guest  whose  reception 
was  to  begin  the  exercises  of  the  celebration.  Constant  in- 
quiries were  made  to  learn  if  possible  why  the  coming  was 
delayed.  An  hour  of  restlessness  and  anxious  expectation 


DISABLED   VOLUNTEER   SOLDIERS.  215 

had  passed  before  the  signal-gun  was  fired.  It  was  known 
then  that  the  reception  party  were  in  sight.  The  artillery 
continued  its  thunder  until  Mrs.  Putnam  and  her  friends 
reached  the  front  of  head-quarters  and  in  sight  of  the  arch 
bearing  the  inscription,  'Welcome,  Mary  Lowell  Putnam, 
our  friend  and  benefactress.'  In  the  carriage  in  which  Mrs. 
Putnam  was  seated  were  General  John  Coburn,  orator  of  the 
day,  Hon.  Lewis  B.  Gunckel,  local  manager,  and  William 
Earnshaw,  chaplain  of  the  Home.  In  the  second  carriage 
were  Miss  Putnam,  Mrs.  L.  B.  Gunckel,  Mr.  E.  T.  Hard- 
castle,  and  Mr.  Charles  Lowell. 

"  Moving  from  the  front  of  head- quarters  the  Putnam  cor- 
tege passed  to  the  left  and  in  front  of  the  line  of  veterans 
drawn  up  to  receive  the  lady  of  so  many  pleasant  remem- 
brances. Each  unarmed  veteran  raised  his  cap,  and  the 
officers  and  the  company  with  muskets  came  to  a  present 
arms.  The  band  played  '  Hail  to  the  Chief,' — in  compliment 
to  General  Coburn,  we  presume, — as  the  review  proceeded. 
Passing  along  the  front  of  the  barracks,  the  party  made  a 
detour  to  the  right  and  returned  to  the  front  of  the  old  head- 
quarters. Here  there  was  a  short  halt,  when  Bunker,  the 
photographer,  on  the  roof  of  the  veranda  of  the  library 
building,  took  a  picture  of  the  scene  embracing  the  arch, 
the  barracks,  the  veterans  in  line,  and  the  thousands  of  spec- 
tators. After  this  brief  delay  the  veterans  marched  to  the 
right,  east  of  the  arch,  and  passing  the  carriage  in  which  Mrs. 
Putnam  was  seated  greeted  her  with  hearty  cheers.  They 
bore  banners  with  inscriptions  of 'Welcome,  Mrs.  Putnam;' 
'  Welcome,  General  Coburn.'  The  procession  was  then  formed 
and  proceeded  to  the  grove,  which  is  usually  devoted  to 
orations  and  ceremonies  of  a  public  character.  The  stand 
had  been  properly  decorated  and  carpeted  for  the  occasion, 
and  Mrs.  Putnam  and  her  party,  with  General  Coburn,  the 
orator  of  the  day,  were  escorted  to  seats  upon  the  platform. 
The  exercises  according  to  the  programme  then  proceeded  in 
order.  After  a  prayer  by  the  Rev.  P.  C.  Prugh,  there  was 
music  by  the  band.  Manager  Gunckel  now  stepped  to  the 
front  and  made  the  following  address  of  welcome: 

"  Veterans  .•— Many  of  you  will  remember  that  four  years 
ago  to-day,  from  this  very  stand,  I  read  a.  letter  just  then  re- 
ceived by  our  worthy  chaplain  from  a  lady,  kindly  offering 
to  donate  some  books  for  the  use  of  the  sick  and  disabled 
soldiers.  She  lived  in  a  distant  state ;  had  never  been  at 
the  Soldiers'  Home  or  in  Dayton  ;  was  not  acquainted  with  a 


216  THE   NATIONAL   HOME    FOR 

single  officer  or  man  in  the  inst'tution  ;  but  her  noble,  sym- 
pathetic heart  told  her  that  here  was  an  opportunity  to  do 
good — to  do  good  to  those  who,  like  her  own  gallant  son, 
had  suffered  that  the  Union  might  be  preserved  and  freedom 
for  all  established.  The  Home  was  then  in  its  infancy.  We 
had  neither  church,  library,  or  reading-room — indeed,  little 
more  than  shelter  and  provisions  for  the  physical  wants  of 
the  men.  The  offer  was  therefore  most  opportune,  and,  I 
need  hardly  say,  gladly  accepted.  In  a  few  weeks  the  books 
came,  exceeding  in  number  and  value  our  expectations. 
After  a  little  while  came  another  installment,  not  only  of 
books,  but  of  rare  and  beautiful  pictures,  carefully  and  hand- 
somely framed  for  the  reading-room.  A  few  months  later 
came  more  books  and  more  pictures  from  the  same  blessed 
source.  And  so  for  four  years,  at  intervals  of  only  a  few 
months,  have  come  more  books  and  more  pictures,  until  the 
pictures  number  over  one  hundred  and  the  books  nearly 
two  thousand,  the  latter  comprising  many  rare  publications, 
and  constituting  one  of  the  best  selected  and  for  its  size  most 
valuable  libraries  in  the  West. 

"This  noble,  generous,  patriotic  lady,  whom  you  may  well 
call  '  FRIEND  and  PATRON,'  is  for  the  first  time  our  guest  to- 
day ;  and  I  am  most  happy,  in  the  name  and  on  behalf  of  the 
managers,  officers,  and  veterans  to  bid  her  welcome  to  the 
Soldiers'  Home,  and  to  extend  to  her  and  her  friends  its 
freedom  and  hospitality.  At  other  times  we  have  welcomed 
to  this  National  Soldiers'  Home  the  President  of  the  United 
States,  the  governors  of  states,  generals  and  admirals,  sen- 
ators and  representatives  in  congress,  men  and  women  dis- 
tinguished in  literature  and  science  ;  but  more  unitedly,  more 
heartily,  and  more  joyfully  than  we  have  ever  before  wel- 
comed man  or  woman  do  we  now  welcome  MARY  LOWELL 
PUTNAM  ! 

"Three  hearty  cheers,  indorsing  the  address  and  greeting 
the  lady  who  was  the  subject  of  it,  were  given  with  a  will  by 
the  veterans. 

"  Mr.  Gunckel  then  led  Mrs.  Putnam  to  the  front  of  the 
platform  and  formally  introduced  her  to  the  veterans  and 
the  audience  generally.  She  was  received  with  applause, 
and  gracefully  bowed  her  acknowledgment.  Mr.  Gunckel 
conducted  her  to  her  seat,  and  handsome  bouquets  were 
presented  to  Mrs.  Putnam  and  party,  the  orator  of  the  day 
and  the  reader  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence. 

"  Colonel  Brown,  who  is  always  the  master  of  ceremonies 


DISABLED   VOLUNTEER   SOLDIERS.  217 

on  public  occasions  at  the  Home,  and  attends  with  such 
promptness  and  precision  to  the  duties  of  his  position,  now 
introduced  Professor  U.  T.  Curran,  of  Cincinnati,  the  reader 
of  the  Declaration  of  Independence.  The  professor  ac- 
quited  himself  in  first-rate  style.  We  have  rarely  heard  so 
impressive  and  truly  artistic  reading  of  the  paper  which 
inaugurated  the  Fourth  of  July  as  our  national  holiday. 

"  Again  there  was  music  by  the  asylum  band;  and  after- 
ward Colonel  Brown  introduced  General  John  Coburn,  ot 
Indiana,  the  orator  of  the  day.  He  was  a  gallant  soldier 
during  the  war,  and  is  an  able,  forcible,  and  eloquent 
speaker.  The  reader  will  be  impressed  with  the  progressive 
ideas  which  General  Coburn  enunciates  and  with  the  clear 
and  earnest  manner  of  their  presentation.  He  struck  out 
in  a  new  line,  leaving  the  old  and  beaten  track  usually  fol- 
lowed by  orators  on  the  Fourth  of  July.  He  commanded 
the  close  attention  of  a  large  audience  of  veterans  and  cit- 
izens during  the  entire  hour  occupied  in  the  delivery  of  the 
oration." 

A  VETERAN'S  ACCOUNT  OF  MRS.  PUTNAM'S  VISIT, 

"NATIONAL  ASYLUM,  July  7,  1672,.    ; 

"After  a  most  pleasant  and  ever  to  be  remembered  visit 
of  three  days,  Mrs.  Putnam  has  taken  leave  of  us.  Her 
presence  here  was  the  realization  of  thousands  of  wishes 
expressed  in  as  many  times  during  the  past  four  years,  and 
has  made  every  one  of  the  hundreds  of  men  here  happier 
and  better  for  it ;  and  the  time  will  be  fixed  in  their  mem- 
ories as  one  of  the  pleasantest  episodes  in  their  experience 
of  Home  life. 

"  Her  arrival  on  the  Fourth  has  already  been  chronicled, 
and  amid  all  the  bustle  and  excitement  of  the  various  sports 
and  the  going  to  and  fro  of  thousands  of  visitors,  her  pres^ 
ence  was  the  acme  of  interest  and  attraction,  and  her  de- 
portment was  such  as  to  elicit  expressions  of  earnest  esteem 
from  every  one.  But  it  was  on  the  succeeding  day  that  the 
qualities  of  her  heart  found  their  best  expression ;  for  she 
spent  the  entire  day  in  visiting  the  hospital,  where  every 
detail  of  arrangement  received  her  closest  attention.  Every 
bedside  was  visited  and  its  occupant  cheered  and  encour- 
aged by  such  kind,  sympathizing  words  of  comfort  as  only 
a  bereaved  mother  can  impart ;  and  no  one  of  them  but  will 
bear  to  his .  dying-day  a  refreshing,  encouraging  remem- 


218  THE    NATIONAL   HOME  FOR 

brance  of  the  good  influences  she  everywhere  shed  around 
her.  Many  were  the  heart-felt  words  and  still  more  express- 
ive tears  which  did  homage  to  her  kindness.  On  Saturday 
she  spent  the  day  in  visiting  every  part  of  the  extensive 
grounds,  including  the  farm  and  dairy,  and  thence  to  every 
workshop,  for  whose  details  she  evinced  great  interest  and 
admiration,  as  well  as  satisfaction  that  she  found  so  many 
who  were,  nothwithstanding  their  disabilities,  able  to  do 
something  for  themselves.  In  the  afternoon  every  barrack 
was  visited  in  turn ;  and  here  her  desire  for  the  comfort  of 
the  inmates  was  again  manifested  by  the  closest  examination 
into  the  arrangements  for  their  welfare. 

"  In  the  evening,  from  eight  to  nine  o'clock,  a  grand  re* 
ception  was  given  her  in  the  library,  where  a  dais  had  been 
erected  and  a  most  comfortable  chair  placed  for  her  con- 
venience and  rest  after  the  fatigues  of  the  day.  But  with 
most  lady-like  modesty  she  declined  the  pre-eminence,  and 
heroically  stood  on  the  floor  while  nearly  seven  hundred 
men  presented  their  cards  and  were  introduced  by  Governor 
Brown  ;  and  to  each  one  greeting,  whether  in  English,  French, 
or  German,  she  made  a  pleasant  response  in  the  language  of 
the  visitor,  her  face  all  the  while  lighted  up  by  smiles  of 
kindness  warmed  by  charity.  The  scene  was  a  most  in- 
teresting" and  memorable  one,  and  will  never  be  forgotten 
by  any  participant  in  it. 

"  On  Sunday  she  attended  divine  service  in  the  chapel ; 
and  again  her  presence  was  productive  of  good  in  procuring 
a  larger  attendance  on  the  faithful  ministrations  of  the  chap- 
lain than  usual.  Her  visit  was  worthily  closed  by  another 
attendance  on  worship  at  the  hospital,  and  her  leave-taking 
was  followed  by  the  benedictions  of  every  inmate. 

"In  the  afternoon  she  was  called  on  by  all  the  sergeants 
as  a  committee  to  present  to  her  an  album,  which  had  been 
hastily  prepared,  containing  sentiments  of  regard  and  thank- 
fulness from  a  large  number  of  men.  One  of  the  number 
said  a  few  words  in  presenting  it,  and  for  a  few  moments 
she  could  hardly  speak  for  emotion,  but  finally  returned  her 
thanks  in  a  few  appropriate  and  well-chosen  remarks. 

"  In  all  her  visits  Mrs.  Putnam  was  accompanied  by  her 
daughter,  Miss  Georgiana  Lowell  Putnam,  whose  bright  and 
kindly  smiles  and  sweet  tender  words  were  a  most  fitting 
supplement  to  her  mother's  sympathizing  condolence. 

"  They  were  accompanied  by  a  gentleman  who  had  been 
the  school-fellow  and  friend  of  Mrs.  Putnam's  sons  in  Italy, 
—Mr.  Harcbcastle,  now  a  banker  in  Bombay,  India, — whose 


DISABLED   VOLUNTEER   SOLDIERS.  219 

love  for  the  sons  now  finds  expression  in  the  tenderest  re- 
gard for  the  bereaved  mother  and  her  family,  and  whose 
interest  has  led  him  to  make  the  long  journey  thence  for  the 
sole  purposes  of  visiting  the  places  where  his  friend's  in- 
terests are  centered,  and  to  aid  them  in  their  every  wish  to 
fulfill  the  obligations  they  owe  to  the  noble  dead  and  the 
suffering  living.  Mr.  Hardcastle  brought  with  and  donated 
to  the  Putnam  Library  two  magnificent  and  very  valuable 
volumes, — one  a  series  of  photographs  of  scenery  in  Ah- 
medabad,  India, — a  rare  book,  not  to  be  obtained  in  the  or- 
dinary way, — the  other  a  more  superb  volume  of  photographs 
of  views  in  all  the  principal  Italian  cities, — bound  in  Rome, 
in  vellum  and  gold,  and  of  rare  excellence  of  workmanship. 
The  photographs  are  of  a  character  to  create  envious  feel- 
ings in  the  breast  of  every  American  artist  who  may  be  for- 
tunate enough  to  see  them. 

"And  so  the  noble,  generous  party  have  gone;  and  they 
carry  with  them  the  best  wishes  of  which  the  heart  is  sus- 
ceptible. That  God  may  guard  and  protect  them  wherever 
they  may  be,  is  the  prayer  of  C.  H.  FERNALD." 

Mrs.  Putnam  sends  on  each  anniversary  of  the 
death  of  her  noble  son,  Lieutenant  Putnam,  a 
wreath  of  flowers  exquisite  in  their  beauty  and  ar- 
rangement. This  wreath  is  placed  in  a  glass  case 
beautifully  wrought  and  just  over  the  picture  of 
the  young  hero,  and  there  it  remains  the  admi- 
ration of  thousands  until  another  comes  to  take  its 
place ;  thus  perpetually  expressing  in  the  sweetest 
language  of  flowers  a  mother's  love. 

Mrs.  Putnam  seems  never  to  lose  sight  of  the 
interests  of  the  veterans  at  the  Home,  taking 
every  proper  occasion  to  manifest  her  kindness 
by  gifts  Which  are  not  only  highly  appreciated, 
but  are  a  permanent  addition  to  the  means  of  in- 
struction and  amusement.  Every  one  feels  the 


220  THE   NATIONAL    HOME   FOR 

deepest  gratitude,  but  have  no  way  of  manifesting 
it  but  by  regrets  of  their  inability  to  make  a 
suitable  return. 

HON.   LEWIS   B.  GUNCKEL,    SECRETARY   OF    THE 
BOARD  OF  MANAGERS. 

In  according  all  due  honor  to  the  sympathizing 
efforts  of  the  Board  of  Managers,  and  the  exertion 
made  by  them  on  behalf  of  the  disabled  soldiers, 
the  zeal  and  interest  manifested  in  the  institution 
by  the  local  manager,  Hon.  Lewis  B.  Gunckel,  is 
not  to  be  overlooked.  He  was  mainly  instru- 
mental in  securing  the  selection  of  Dayton  as  a 
site  for  the  Central  Home,  and  from  the  com- 
mencement of  the  work  to  the  present  day  has 
labored  patiently  and  unremittingly  to  accomplish 
the  remarkable  results  enumerated  in  this  volume. 

Mr.  Gunckel  is  a  lawyer,  pursuing  a  large,  lu- 
crative practice,  and  the  energetic  member  of 
congress  from  the  fourth  district  of  his  state.  It 
is  therefore  all  the  more  creditable  to  him  that 
out  of  the  fullness  of  his  heart  he  assumed  the 
parentage  of  the  Soldiers'  Home.  No  one  can 
now  deny  to  him  all  the  pride  and  gratification  a 
parent  can  feel  in  his  offspring,  nor  the  honor  it 
reflects.  The  institution  as  it  stands  may  with 
truth  be  presented  to  the  people  as  his  work;  for 
it  is  to  his  enlarged  ideas,  careful  management, 


DISABLED   VOLUNTEER   SOLDIERS.  221 

and  extended  views  that  the  work  has  been  car- 
ried on  from  year  to  year,  quietly,  unobtrusively, 
without  boasting  or  pretension;  that  the  Home 
in  all  its  details  now  presents  such  large  and  strik- 
ing proportions.  Mr.  Gunckel  has  kept  constantly 
in  view  the  comfort" of  the  veterans,  the  progress 
of  improvement,  the  increase  in  the  number  of 
buildings,  the  architectural  beauty,  and  the  im- 
posing character  of  the  structures  erected  for  the 
very  purpose  of  making  the  Home  at  Dayton  the 
most  complete,  attractive,  and  beautiful  in  all  the 
world.  It  was  a  noble  ambition,  and  now  has  its 
realization  and  acknowledgment. 

One  object  for  which  Mr.  Gunckel  has  been 
striving  is,  to  secure  for  the  Dayton  Home  a  pre- 
eminence which  should  eventually  concentrate 
within  its  limits  all  the  disabled  veterans  now 
domiciled  at  the  other  homes,  thus  making  it  the 
central  and  only  national  institution  for  disabled 
volunteers. 

Mr.  Gunckel  has  in  this  labor  of  love,  of  which 
the  best  and  greatest  might  well  be  proud,  won  a 
name  and  honor  that  can  never  be  taken  from 
him.  All  honor  to  the  man  who  has  in  all 
these  years  labored  so  faithfully  for  the  disabled 
defenders  of  the  dear  old  flag. 

ADJUTANT'S  OFFICE. 

The  records  of  this  office  form  an  interesting 


222  THE   NATIONAL   HOME   FOR 

feature  of  the  Central  Home,  and  the  accurate 
manner  in  which  they  are  preserved  reflect  the 
highest  credit  upon  the  ability  of  Mr.  M.  J. 
Campbell,  of  the  thirteenth  Connecticut  reg- 
iment, who  has  filled  the  position  of  post-adju- 
tant for  several  years.  The  general  historical 
register  consists  of  fifteen  books  of  five  hundred 
pages  each,  one  page  being  allotted  to  each  in- 
mate. This  page  contains  his  full  military  record 
as  well  as  his  social  standing.  In  addition  to 
these  a  record  is  kept  of  all  inmates  by  states  and 
organizations.  There  is  made  up  in  the  adjutant's 
office  every  morning  a  consolidated  report  from 
the  reports  of  the  sixteen  companies  and  hospital. 
From  the  adjutant's  reports  for  the  year  ending 
November  30, 1874,  we  learn  that  the  highest  num- 
ber present  up  to  that  date  was  two  thousand  and 
ninety-four.  The  whole  number  of  beneficiaries 
cared  for  and  assisted  in  any  way  during  the  year 
was  three  thousand  two  hundred  and  fifty-six ; 
whole  number  present  during  the  year,  two  thou- 
sand eight  hundred  and  fifty-nine;  whole  number 
discharged  during  the  year  upon  statement  that 
they  were  able  to  support  themselves,  one  hundred 
and  fifty-two.  Thirty-four  deserted,  two  hundred 
and  fifty-five  were  dropped  from  temporary  ab- 
sence at  post,  and  eighty-two  were  transferred  to 
other  branches.  Died  during  the  year,  one  hun- 


DISABLED   VOLUNTEER   SOLDIERS.  223 

dred  and  twenty.  The  number  present  and  ab- 
sent on  the  first  day  of  January,  1875,  was  two 
thousand  six  hundred  and  one. 

From  the  librarian's  report  for  1874  we  learn 
that  during  the  year  thirty-one  thousand  three 
hundred  and  eighty-eight  books  were  read,  show- 
ing the  value  of  this  department  as  a  means  of 
comfort  and  entertainment  for  the  veterans. 

TREASURER'S  OFFICE. 

The  treasurer's  office  is  one  of  great  interest. 
Maj.  Jerome  B.  Thomas,  the  treasurer,  ranks 
next  to  the  governor,  and  assumes  the  duties  ot 
commandant  in  the  absence  of  the  governor  in 
addition  to  his  other  duties,  which  are  onerous,  as 
the  following  brief  sketch  will  show : 

He  has  charge  of  all  moneys  belonging  to  the 
Home,  received  from  the  general  treasurer  of  all 
the  branches;  also,  the  United  States  pensions 
which  he  collects  for  the  inmates,  the  money 
proceeds  from  the  Home  manufactories,  sales  of 
uniform,  clothing,  and  the  Home  store,  etc.  Pie 
receives  in  sums  ranging  from  a  few  cents  to 
very  large  amounts  and  pays  out  the  same  in  like 
sums  in  accordance  with  rules  laid  down,  which 
are  carefully  followed. 

The  work  of  this  office  has  grown  from  the 
handling  of  about  one  hundred  thousand  dollars, 


224  THE   NATIONAL   HOME   FOB 

as  in  the  case  of  the  first  year,  to  nearly  half  a 
million,  including  everything  for  the  year  1874, 
every  cent  of  which  is  accounted  for  by  vouchers. 
The  treasurer  is  responsible  for  all  property  be- 
longing to  the  Home,  and  purchasing  the  same, 
he  supervises  the  issuing  of  the  quartermaster's 
stores,  clothing,  bedding,  etc.  Add  to  these  the 
payment  ot  pensions,  of  monthly  receipt-rolls  of 
hundreds  of  veterans  employed,  an  extensive  cor- 
respondence with  beneficiaries  and  their  families, 
and  the  reader  will  have  a  very  imperfect  idea 
of  the  duties  of  this  office.  James  M.  Berming- 
ham,  late  adjutant  88th  K.  Y.  Vols.,  is  the  effi- 
cient quartermaster-sergeant 

PENSIONERS. 

As  stated  elsewhere  in  this  work,  all  men  ad- 
mitted to  the  national  Home  must  show  some  dis- 
ability unfitting  them  for  earning  a  living.  A 
very  large  proportion  are  disabled  by  disease,  in 
many  cases  superinduced  by  long  and  cruel  con- 
finement in  southern  prison-pens.  The  whole 
number  of  pensioners  cared  for  during  the  year 
1874  was  nine  hundred  and  eighty-seven.  Two 
had  lost  both  arms;  three  had  lost  both  legs;  one 
had  lost  a  leg  and  an  arm ;  one  hundred  and  sixty- 
four  had  lost  one  arm ;  one  hundred  and  eighty- 
four  had  lost  one  leg. 


DISABLED   VOLUNTEER   SOLDIERS.  225 

OFFICERS  AND  EX-OFFICERS  OF  THE  HOME. 

This  history  would  be  incomplete  and  unsatis- 
factory if  it  did  not  contain  some  notice  of  the 
gentlemen  selected  by  the  honorable  Board  of 
Managers  for  official  positions  in  the  Central 
Home,  seeing  they  were  men  who  made  for  them- 
selves honorable  records  in  the  great  struggle  for 
the  retention  of  our  liberties,  and  eminently  fitted 
for  the  positions  they  hold.  Men  never  laborel 
more  faithfully  than  they  have  done,  and  that  in 
the  face  of  difficulties  likely  never  before  met. 
Their  manly  bearing,  their  kind  consideration  of 
the  needs  of  the  men,  and  not  least,  the  beautiful 
harmony  that  exists  among  them  is  a  source  of 
gratification  to  all  friends  of  the  great  national 
Soldiers'  Home  not  easily  expressed. 

• 
COLONEL  E.  F.  BROWN,  GOVERNOR. 

Colonel  Brown  entered  the  service  as  lieu- 
tenant-colonel of  the  twenty-eighth  New  York 
volunteers,  in  April,  1861,  and  served  until  the 
expiration  of  his  time.  He  lost  his  left  arm  in 
the  battle  of  Cedar  Mountain,  near  Gulpepper, 
Virginia,  in  August,  1862;  was  taken  prisoner, 
escaped,  and  again  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  en- 
emy and  was  sent  to  Libby  Prison.  He  was 
subsequently  paroled  and  exchanged)  when  he 


226  THE  NATIONAL   HOME  FOR 

returned  and  took  command  of  his  regiment,  its 
colonel  having  fallen  in  the  battle  named.  After 
the  war  Colonel  Brown  was  appointed,  by  General 
Ord,  military  mayor  of  Yicksburg,  Mississippi, 
which  office  he  filled  with  great  honor  to  himself 
and  credit  to  the  Government.  He  was  commis- 
sioned as  acting  deputy-governor  of  the  Home  in 
November,  1868,  and  confirmed  July,  1869,  and 
was  appointed  governor  September  6,  1873.  The 
estimation  in  which  the  services  of  Colonel 
Brown  are  now  held  at  the  Home  will  appear 
from  the  following  testimonial : 

The  semi-centennial  anniversary  of  the  birth 
of  Colonel  E.  F.  Brown,  deputy-governor  of  the 
National  Home  for  Disabled  Volunteer  Soldiers, 
occurred  on  "Wednesday,  April  23d,  1873.  The 
knowledge  of  it  came  so  suddenly  upon  the  of- 
ficers and  men  that  there  was  no  time  for  the 
arrangement  of  a  general  celebration ;  but  some 
of  them  assembled  at  the  instance  of  Commissary 
Sergeant  Crandall,  and,  preceded  by  the  band, 
marched  to  head-quarters.  The  colonel,  seeing 
them  coming  through  the  arch,  remarked  that 
"  they  were  taking  a  long  route  for  a  funeral  this 
muddy  weather,"  and  was  somewhat  astonished 
when  they  turned  into  his  office  and  surrounded 
him.  Captain  Fernald,  assistant  librarian,  then 
stepped  forward  and  said : 


DISABLED    VOLUNTEER   SOLDIERS.  227 

Colonel  Brown : — In  my  short  and  uneventful  life  there 
has  been  no  occasion  in  which  I  have  felt  so  flattered  and 
honored  as  on  the  present  in  being  chosen  speaker  for  my 
comrades,  who  have  instructed  me  to  use  my  small  endeav- 
ors to  express  to  you  their  feelings  and  the  purpose  for 
which  they  are  now  assembled.  All  of  us,  sir,  have  been 
within  the  jurisdiction  of  your  command  for  several  years, 
a  sufficient  time  to  have  become  acquainted  with  your 
modes  of  action,  and  by  inference  to  have  some  sense  of 
the  motives  which  prompt  you ;  and  there  is  not  one  but 
feels  that  in  the  entire  performance  of  the  multifarious  duties 
which  you  are  called  to  discharge  you  have  been  actuated 
by  a  high  sense  of  honor,  a  nice  sense  of  justice,  and  above 
all,  by  that  beautiful  principle  of  Christianity  which  Paul 
says  is  greater  than  all.  Sir,  you  have  done  the  state  some 
service,  to  which  your  body  as  well  as  the  archives  of  the 
country  bear  honorable  testimony.  Not  less  in  your  pres- 
ent circumscribed  sphere  have  your  actions  merited  the  ap- 
proval of  those  whose  duty  and  pleasure  it  has  been  to  be 
associated  with  you  in  the  performance  of  the  details  of 
your  present  executive  position. 

The  present  occasion  being  the  fiftieth  anniversary  of  your 
birth  seems  to  be  an  appropriate  time  for  a  suitable  man- 
ifestion  of  the  feelings  with  which  we  are  inspired ;  and,  sir, 
that  but  a  small  number  of  those  who  look  to  you  as  their 
chief  are  now  present,  yet  we  but  feel  that  each  and  every 
one  of  them,  had  time  and  opportunity  been  favorable, 
would  have  heartily  joined  in  the  pleasant  duty  now  to  be 
performed,  which  is  to  present  to  you  as  a  small  but  grateful 
testimonial  of  the  high  sense  in  which  they  appreciate  the 
earnest,  honest,  and  faithful  discharge  of  the  duties  of  your 
office,  this  gold  chain,  with  the  sincere  trust  that  its  purity, 
brightness,  strength,  and  usefulness  may  be  emblematic 
of  the  relations  which  we  may  hereafter  have  with  each 
other,  and  a  heart-felt  hope  that  your  days  may  be  prolonged 
to  many  future  years  of  honorable  usefulness ;  and  that  each 
recurring  anniversary  of  the  present  happy  day  may  be  as 
auspicious  as  the  present  is  the  earnest  wish  of  the  non- 
commissioned officers,  office  clerks,  and  shop  superintend- 
ents of  the  central  branch  of  the  national  Home. 


During  this  address  Colonel  Brown  was  much 

affected.    Tears  filled  his  eyes  and  his  stalwart 
i7 


228  THE   NATIONAL   HOME    FOR 

frame  trembled  with  emotion ;  but  at  its  close  he 
had  so  far  recovered  himself  as  to  reply  in  sub- 
stance as  follows : 


Captain  Fernald  and  Gentlemen  : — I  trust  you  will  pardon 
my  apparent  weakness,  but  this  unexpected  visit  has  so  sur- 
prised and  affected  me  that  I  am  quite  unmanned.  In  the 
course  of  my  life  of  fifty  years,  to  the  anniversary  of  which 
you  have  so  kindly  alluded,  few  occasions  have  taken  me  so 
completely  by  surprise  and  so  completely  embarrassed  me. 
While  I  have  no  words  to  express  the  gratitude  I  feel,  it  is 
easy  for  me  to  say  to  you  that  this  occasion  gives  me  special 
pleasure.  I  see  before  me  those  who  have  known  me  since 
I  first  became  connected  with  this  Home,  and  the  expression 
of  your  kindly  sentiments  assures  me  that  my  honest  efforts 
to  do  my  duty  have  been  appreciated ;  and  it  also  shows  on 
your  part  a  disposition  to  forgive  the  many  shortcomings 
which  you  have  seen  in  me. 

The  position  which  I  have  occupied  for  almost  five  years 
has  been  somewhat  new,  novel,  and  not  altogether  free  from 
difficulties  and  embarrassments.  It  would  have  been  alto- 
gether impossible  for  me,  and  the  officers  associated  with  me, 
to  have  conducted  the  affairs  of  this  Home  to  the  satisfaction 
of  the  Government  which  authorized  and  the  Board  of  Man- 
agers who  directed  the  plan,  except  we  had  been  aided  and 
sustained  in  our  efforts  by  you  and  other  good  men  who 
knew  and  appreciated  our  difficulties  and  trials. 

These  tokens  and  the  kind  words  of  your  speaker  assure 
me  and  strengthen  me  for  further  duty,  while  the  day  you 
have  selected  for  your  demonstration  of  good-will  reminds 
me  that  I  have  seen  half  a  century  pass,  and  that  age 
creeps  on  me,  it  will  long  be  remembered  as  one  of  the 
bright  days  of  my  life.  While  this  chain  may  not  possess 
the  intrinsic  value  which  would  be  likely  to  cause  it  to  hold 
a  lasting  place  in  my  memory,  the  kindness  of  your  words 
and  the  reflection  of  these  sentiments  which  I  see  in  every 
eye  before  me  will  never  be  effaced  from  my  memory. 

I  need  not  tell  you  that  my  position  is  an  arbitrary  one,  for 
you  all  know  that;  and  if  I  have  ever  exercised  any  power 
in  a  manner  to  make  you  feel  that  I  have  sometimes  been 
injudicious  and  overbearing,  your  good  sense  has  led  you  to 
attribute  it  to  the  annoyances  incident  to  the  position,  and 
have  therefore  forgiven.  Your  kindness,  while  it  overcomes 


DISABLED   VOLUNTEER   SOLDIERS.  229 

and  embarrasses  me,  gives  me  assurance  that  the  charge 
with  which  I  have  been  intrusted  and  the  many  trials  I  have 
met  from  time  to  time  have  not  escaped  your  notice ;  and  in 
all  these,  I  am  pleased  to  say,  you  have  taken  your  share  of 
the  responsibilities  and  burdens.  No  man  could  have  car- 
ried on  the  affairs  of  this  institution  except  he  had  been 
sustained  by  the  precepts  and  example  of  those  who  were 
intrusted  with  the  subordinate  positions.  I  am  proud  to 
say,  in  this  respect  you  have  at  all  times  and  on  all  occasions 
met  my  expectations. 

I  see  before  me  men  who  were  in  the  Home  when  I  first 
came  to  you ;  and  to  them,  and  to  you  all,  the  Government, 
the  managers,  and  the  officers  are  greatly  indebted,  and 
none  more  so  than  I. 

In  this  album,  which  I  have  not  opened,  I  hope  to  find 
the  photographs  of  all  the  faces  I  see  before  me ;  and  if  not, 
I  will  feel  obliged  if  you  will  supply  them  at  some  future 
time. 

Gentlemen,  I  wish  I  had  words  to  suitably  reply  to  your  ad- 
dress and  to  thank  you  for  your  rich  gifts  ;  but  you  all  know 
and  appreciate  my  difficulties  in  this  regard,  so  you  will 
please  take  the  will  for  the  deed  and  accept  my  heart-felt 
thanks. 

The  party  then  dispersed,  with  many  handshak- 
ings and  hearty  congratulations.  But  the  colonel's 
surprises  were  not  over,  for  in  the  evening  there 
assembled  at  his  house  the  officers  with  their  wives 
and  children,  and  gentlemen  and  other  ladies,  for 
the  purpose  of  adding  more  to  his  astonish- 
ment. In  the  center  of  the  room  stood  a  small 
table  surmounted  by  a  magnificent  cake  orna- 
ment with  military  emblems,  and  crowned  with 
the  eagle.  After  awhile  the  colonel  was  instructed 
to  cut  the  cake.  On  removing  the  ornamental 
part  he  discovered  a  card  on  which  was  written, 
"Please  do  not  cut  my  head.  John  Cane."  He 


230  THE   NATIONAL   HOME   FOR 

accordingly  seized  Mr.  Cane  by  the  head  and 
drew  him  forth,  discovering  that  his  body  was  of 
polished  ebony  crowned  with  gold,  on  which  was 
a  suitable  inscription,  and  the  following  document : 

CENTRAL  NATIONAL  HOME  FOR  D.  V.  S.,   ) 
DAYTON,  OHIO,  April  23,  1873.     i 
Colonel  E.  F.  Brown,  Deputy -governor  and  Commandant: 

DEAR  COLONEL: — We,  your  fellow-officers,  beg  you  to  ac- 
cept on  this,  your  fiftieth  birth-day,  as  a  slight  token  of  our 
esteem,  this  staff,  upon  which,  if  it  equals  in  strength  our 
friendship  for  our  commandant,  you  can  lean  in  safety 
through  the  declining  years  of  your  life ;  and  that  it  should 
be  emblematic  of  that  other  and  sure  staff  on  whom  all  who 
would  be  most  useful  and  happy  must  learn  to  lean  is  our 
sincere  wish. 

J.  B.  Thomas,  treasurer;  W.  H.  Lough,  secretary;  William 
Earnshaw,  chaplain  ;  S.  K.  Towle,  surgeon  ;  C.  McDermont, 
late  surgeon  ;  A.  S.  Dunlap,  assistant  surgeon ;  William 
Thompson,  steward;  A.  R.  Woodruff,  late  steward;  E.  L. 
Miller,  matron ;  Mary  J.  Eaton,  principal  of  Home  school ; 
L.  K.  Stroup,  farmer ;  D.  F.  Giddinger,  builder. 

Colonel  Brown  expressed  himself  as  not  being 
equal  to  the  task  of  replying,  and  deputed  Chap- 
lain Earnshaw,  who  did  the  thankful  honors  in  a 
very  neat  and  appropriate  speech.  The  remainder 
of  the  evening  was  spent  in  pleasant,  social  inter- 
course, enlivened  by  choice  music  from  the  band, 
and  all  departed  to  their  homes  with  pleasant 
memories  of  a  pleasant  day. 

MAJOR  JEROME  B.  THOMAS,  TREASURER. 

Major  Thomas  is  one  of  the  first  officers  of 
the  institution,  and  it  may  be  said  of  him  that  he 


DISABLED   VOLUNTEER   SOLDIERS.  231 

has  grown  with  its  growth  and  strengthened  with 
its  strength.  Apart  from  the  arduous  duties  of 
his  office,  he  has  ever  manifested  a  lively  interest 
in  everything  appertaining  to  the  property  of  the 
Home  and  the  well-being  of  its  inmates ;  taking 
an  active  part  in  its  associations  and  celebrations, 
its  days  of  rejoicing,  its  festivals  and  amusements, 
and  contributing  in  the  distribution  of  his  time 
and  talents  for  the  promotion  of  the  general  good 
and  happiness  of  all  concerned.  Major  Thomas 
was  born  in  Pennsylvania ;  received  his  education 
at  Knox  College,  Illinois ;  subsequently  read  med- 
icine with  Dr.  William  Chamberlain,  at  Toulon, 
Illinois,  and  graduated  at  the  Jefferson  Medical 
College,  Philadelphia,  in  1858;  afterward  located 
at  Wyoming,  Illinois,  where  he  was  in  the  prac- 
tice of  his  profession.  When  the  war  of  1861 
broke  out,  he  entered  the  army  as  assistant-sur- 
geon of  the  twenty-fourth  regiment  Illinois  vol- 
unteer infantry ;  served  in  the  army  of  Ohio 
under  General  Buell,  and  in  the  Army  of  the 
Cumberland  under  both  Generals  JJosencran?  and 
Thomas.  After  the  first  year  he  was  detached 
from  his  regiment,  serving  as  surgeon  in  charge  of 
the  Government  hospitals  at  Bowling  Green,  Ken- 
tucky, at  Gallatin,  Tennessee,  and  also  as  acting 
medical  director  on  the  staff  of  General  Paine, 
and  later  as  chief  executive  officer  of  the  Cum- 


232  THE   NATIONAL  HOME  FOE 

-^ 

berland  United  States  army  general  hospital  at 
Nashville.  Still  later  he  was  appointed  surgeon  in 
charge  of  Government  railroad  hospitals  located 
at  Chattanooga,  Tennessee,  and  at  Stevenson  and 
Huntsvrlle,  Alabama.  He  continned  so  employed 
up  to  December,  1865,  when  he  left  the  Govern- 
ment service  and  opened  an  office  the  year  fol- 
lowing at  Wyandotte,  Kansas,  where  he  was  living 
when  in  the  fall  of  1867  he  received  the  appoint- 
ment of  treasurer  to  the  central  branch  of  the 
national  Home,  which  office  he  now  holds,  being 
the  first  appointed  treasurer  of  the  Central  Home. 
Major  Thomas  has  been  repeatedly  complimented 
by  the  honorable  Board  of  Managers  for  his 
faithfulness  in  the  line  of  duty,  they  earnestly 
commending  him  for  the  accuracy  of  his  accounts. 
Major  Thomas  carne  to  the  Home  with  the  ex- 
pectation of  being  made  surgeon  on  the  retire- 
ment of  Dr.  McDermont,  and  would  have  received 
that  appointment  but  for  the  fact  that  the  Board 
of  Managers  earnestly  desired  him  to  continue  as 
treasurer,  in  which  position  he  has  served  them 
so  well.  Those  who  know  Major  Thomas  will 
appreciate  his  earnest  desire  to  return  to  his 
honorable  and  cherished  profession. 

CAPTAIN  R.  E.  FLEMING,  SECRETARY. 
The  important  and  responsible  duties  of  secre- 


DISABLED   VOLUNTEER   SOLDIERS.  233 

tary  of  the  Central  Home  are  assigned  to  Captain 
R.  E.  Fleming,  who  owes  his  promotion  to  mer- 
itorious services  performed  in  the  army.  At  the 
breaking  out  of  the  war  in  1861  he  enlisted  in  the 
third  Indiana  battery,  light  artillery,  and  was  in 
active  service  for  the  term  of  three  years.  He  re- 
ceived his  appointment  as  secretary  of  the  Home 
in  July,  1873.  The  position  occupied  by  Captain 
Fleming  is  one  requiring  no  inconsiderable 
amount  of  executive  ability ;  and  it  is  but  a  trib- 
ute justly  due  him  to  say  that  the  various  duties 
connected  with  his  office  are  discharged  with 
credit  to  himself  and  to  the  entire  satisfaction  of 
the  Board  of  Managers,  by  whom  his  duties  are 
thus  defined : 

The  secretary  shall  be  the  recording  and  auditing  officer 
of  the  military  asylums ;  shall  perform  such  duties  as  shall 
be  ordered  by  the  Board ;  shall  countersign  all  requisitions 
of  the  governor  upon  the  treasurer  of  the  military  asylum, 
and  all  drafts  and  orders  for  the  payment  of  money,  and 
keep  a  record  of  the  same. 

He  shall  keep  an  accurate  account  of  all  receipts  and  ex- 
penditures of  every  description,  and  of  all  debts  due,  so  as 
to  exhibit  at  all  times  the  exact  financial' condition  of  the 
military  asylum  to  which  he  may  be  appointed;  he  shall 
audit  all  claims  upon  such  asylum,  settle  and  adjust  the 
same,  and  prepare  and  pass  them  for  the  action  of  the  gov- 
ernor. 

He  shall  lay  before  the  governor  complete  lists  of  all  the 
dues,  debts,  and  demands  accruing  to  such  asylum,  so  that 
the  same  may  be  collected  and  adjusted. 

His  books  and  accounts  shall  at  all  times  be  open  to  the 
inspection  of  the  governor  and  of  any  manager.  He  shall 
keep  and  preserve  in  a  fire-proof  safe  all  the  record-books 
deeds,  papers,  vouchers,  and  accounts  of  such  asylum ;  he 


234  THE   NATIONAL  HOME   FOR 

shall  keep  accurate  pay-rolls,  showing  the  compensation  of 
every  officer,  agent,  or  employee  of  such  asylum,  and  pre- 
pare the  same  in  duplicate,  so  that  the  same  may  be  paid 
by  the  treasurer ;  and  to  aid  him  in  his  duties  may  employ 
such  clerical  assistance  as  may  be  recommended  by  the 
governor  and  authorized  by  the  president. 

In  addition  to  the  above  specified  duties  the 
secretary  is  empowered  to  act  as  notary  public, 
aud  take  the  acknowledgment  of  legal  documents, 
etc.  He  also  has  charge  of  the  Home  store  and 
manages  its  affairs,  which  position  he  is  well 
qualified  to  fill,  he  having  followed  mercantile 
pursuits  for  years ;  but  he  reluctantly  abandoned 
the  business  to  accept  the  position  he  now  holds. 
The  annual  sales  of  the  store  are  now  estimated 
at  about  §20,000,  the  profits  of  which  are  devoted 
to  the  support  of  the  library,  and  to  furnishing 
amusements  of  various  miscellaneous  character 
for  the  inmates.  It  may  be  proper  to  add  here 
that  Captain  Fleming  was  appointed  to  fill  the 
vacancy  occasioned  by  the  transfer  of  Captain 
Lough,  who  is  now  secretary  at  the  north-western 
branch  at  Milwaukee. 

DR.  JAMES  M.  WEAVER,  SURGEON. 

Dr.  James  M.  Weaver,  the  recently  appointed 
surgeon,  though  but  a  short  time  connected  with 
the  institution,  is  not  a  stranger  to  the  disabled  sol- 
dier. His  military  history  is  a  highly  creditable 
one,  beginning  with  the  second  year  of  the  war 


DISABLED   VOLUNTEER   SOLDIERS.  235 

of  the  rebellion,  when  he  entered  the  army  as  as- 
sistant surgeon  of  the  ninety-third  regiment  Ohio 
volunteers.  He  was  appointed  surgeon  of  the 
same  regiment  in  1864,  and  was  for  some  time  in 
charge  of  the  division  hospital,  third  division 
fourth  army  corps.  He  followed  the  fortunes  of 
his  regiment  throughout,  and  was  with  them  in 
their  hard-fought  battles;  was  a  prisoner  of  war, 
and  suffered  with  many  others  in  Libby  Prison. 
While  a  prisoner  Dr.  Weaver  was  not  indifferent 
to  the  sufferings  of  his  companions  in  distress, 
but  by  calling  into  lively  exercise  his  cheerfulness 
of  heart  and  superior  professional  skill  contributed 
largely  in  alleviating  their  sufferings.  At  the 
close  of  the  war  he  resumed  the  practice  of  his 
profession  at  Wooster,  Ohio,  and  was  appointed 
surgeon  of  the  Central  Home  in  November,  1874. 
The  duties  of  his  office  are  performed  with  credit 
to  himself  and  to  the  entire  satisfaction  uf  the  of- 
ficers of  the  Home  and  Board  of  Managers. 

CHAPLAIN  WILLIAM  EARNSHAW, 

As  stated  elsewhere,  entered  the  army  at  the 
breaking  out  of  the  war  and  was  early  commis- 
sioned chaplain,  and  served,  until  after  the  battle 
of  Gettysburg,  in  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  aft- 
er which  he  was  ordered  to  the  Army  of  the 
Cumberland,  in  which  he  served  under  General 


236  THE    NATIONAL   HOME   FOR 

George  II.  Thomas  until  September,  1867.  Chap- 
lain Earnshaw  enjoyed  the  earnest  friendship  of 
General  Thomas.  He  was  present  at  nineteen 
battles,  including  some  of  the  greatest  of  the  war, 
and  at  the  close  was  ordered  to  report  to  the  late 
General  Thomas,  who  made  him  superintendent  of 
cemeteries  at  Stone  River  and  Nashville.  Into 
these  beautiful  resting-places  he  gathered  the  re- 
mains of  twenty-two  thousand  soldiers ;  and  he 
was  subsequently  appointed,  with  two  other  army 
officers,  to  select  the  sites  and  purchase  the  ground 
for  the  national  cemeteries  of  Fort  Donelson, 
Shiloh,  Corinth,  and  Memphis.  No  one  unac- 
quainted with  the  facts  can  conceive  the  difficulties 
and  dangers  encountered  in  this  duty  from  the 
bitterness  and  opposition  of  the  people  of  the 
South,  and  that,  too,  on  the  very  heels  of  the  war. 
It  was  only  through  the  constant  protection  and 
friendship  of  General  Thomas  as  military  com- 
mander of  that  department  that  Chaplain  Earn- 
shaw was  enabled  to  discharge  the  duty  for  which 
he  was  appointed  ;  and  it  was  his  faithful  services 
together  with  his  honorable  record  in  the  army 
that  secured  for  him  the  appointment  referred  to. 
Chaplain  Earnshaw  is  too  well  known  to  require 
encomiums  at  the  hands  of  the  writer,  and  the  re- 
lations he  occupies  in  the  institution  are  fully  set 
forth  in  other  portions  of  this  volume.  The  fol- 


DISABLED   VOLUNTEER   SOLDIERS.  237 

lowing  extract  from  the  report  of  the  Board  of 
Managers  to  congress  is  an  appropriate  conclusion 
to  this  brief  sketch : 

"  The  religious  and  moral  instruction  at  this  branch,  under 
the  direction  of  Chaplain  Earnshaw,  has  been  of  the  most 
faithful  and  satisfactory  character." 

CAPTAIN  WILLIAM  THOMPSON,  STEWARD. 

Captain  William  Thompson,  the  steward  of  the 
Central  Home,  served  with  credit  in  the  first  Ken- 
tucky infantry  regiment  and  lost  an  arm  in  battle ; 
and  to  his  credit  be  it  said  that  when  General  Lee 
invaded  Pennsylvania  in  1863  Captain  Thompson 
became  the  color-bearer  of  the  thirty-first  reg- 
iment Pennsylvania  militia,  and  with  his  remain- 
ing strong  arm  and  his  brave  heart  carried  the 
dear  old  flag  throughout  the  campaign.  In  the 
Home  he  fairly  won  the  position  he  now  holds 
by  filling*  places  of  responsibility  as  a  subordinate. 
His  duties  are  varied  and  arduous,  requiring  him 
to  make  all  purchases  of  subsistence,  to  superin- 
tend the  preparation  and  serving  of  the  food,  to- 
gether with  all  the  details  of  provisioning  the 
Home.  In  addition  to  this,  he  superintends  sev- 
eral of  the  large  workshops,  as  before  described 
in  this  book.  Captain  Thompson  is  a  vigorous 
and  intelligent  young  man,  and  bids  fair  to  make 
a  successful  business  man. 

The  duties  of  assistant  steward  are  ably  per- 


238  THE   NATIONAL   HOME   FOR 

formed  by  Captain  Justin  II.  Chapman,  late 
captain  company  B,  fifth  Connecticut  volunteers, 
who  lost  a  leg  in  battle,  after  making  a  fine  record 
as  a  true  American  soldier. 

The  steward's  department  would  be  imperfectly 
described  without  saying  a  word  in  favor  of  the 
polite  and  gentlemanly  commissary  sergeant, 
Wesley  Crandall,  eminently  the  right  man  in 
the  right  place. 

MRS.  E.  L.  MILLER,  MATRON. 

The  worthy  and  energetic  matron,  Mrs.  Miller, 
has  long  since  distinguished  herself  as  the  soldiers' 
friend.  Early  in  the  war  she,  with  other  noble- 
hearted  mothers,  wives,  and  daughters,  established 
the  Cleveland  and  Cincinnati  sanitary  associations, 
and  as  wounded  and  sick  men  began  to  accumulate 
on  their  hands  they  saw  and  felt  the  pressing 
necessity  for  some  systematic  plan  of  organized 
effort,  and  out  of  this  want  so  deeply  felt  grew  a 
soldiers'  home.  It  remained  under  the  auspices 
of  these  associations  until  the  state  took  charge 
of  it  in  March,  1865.  It  remained  under  state 
control  only  a  year,  and  in  1867  was  transferred 
to  the  Central  Home.  Mrs.  Miller  had  herself 
brought  the  first  16  inmates  from  Cleveland  in 
October,  1865.  The  executive  ability  of  Mrs, 
Miller  is  plainly  visible  in  all  the  various  depart- 


DISABLED   VOLUNTEER  SOLDIERS.  239 

ments  of  the  hospital  elsewhere  described.  Mrs. 
Miller  is  in  daily,  or  it  may  be  said  hourly,  attend- 
ance, and  as  she  glides  through  the  various  wards 
with  elastic  step  and  cheerful  voice,  with  a  kind 
word  for  all,  she  imparts  a  spirit  of  cheerfulness 
and  happiness  as  far  as  can  be  to  the  sick.  Too 
much  can  not  be  said  in  praise  of  this  worthy 
lady,  so  well  adapted  to  this  great  work  and  so 
willing  to  use  all  her  energies  in  its  accomplish- 
ment. 

DR.  A.  S.  DUNLAP,  ASSISTANT  SURGEON. 

• 

Dr.  A.  S.  Dunlap  has  been  the  assistant  surgeon 
four  years;  and  he  has  discharged  the  duties  de- 
volving upon  him  in  such  a  manner  as  to  secure 
for  himself  the  confidence  and  esteem  of  every  in- 
mate of  the  Home.  He  is  young,  active,  and  en- 
ergetic, and  is  always  to  be  found  when  wanted. 

Patience  and  forbearance  are  indispensably  nec- 
essary to  the  success  of  a  physician  in  an  institu- 
tion where  he  is  compelled  to  adapt  his  practice 
not  only  to  many  peculiar  forms  of  disease,  but 
likewise  to  suit  himself  to  many  men  of  many 
minds  and  of  varied  temperaments.  But  under 
all  these  formidable  circumstances  Dr.  Dunlap 
has  shown  himself  to  be  the  right  man  in  the 
right  place. 

"We  append  the  names  of  Drs.  J.  W.  Stewart, 


240  THE   NATIONAL   HOME   FOR 

of  Rock  Island,  Illinois,  George  G.  Hopkins,  of 
Brooklyn,  New  York,  T.  F.  Price,  of  Kentucky, 
and  J.  K.  Evans,  of  Ohio,  who  have  served  hon- 
orably as  assistant  surgeons  at  the  Central  Home. 

EX-OFFICERS. 
DR.  CLARKE  McDERMONT. 

Dr.  McDermont,  late  surgeon  of  the  Central 
Home,  has  always  been  distinguished  for  ability 
in  his  profession.  He  brought  to  his  position  a 
large  experience  in  the  army. 

Dr.  McDermont  entened  the  army  at  the  out- 
break of  the  war,  and  served  faithfully  and  un- 
interuptedly  until  the  close.  He  had  charge  of 
some  of  the  largest  general  hospitals  in  the  coun- 
try,— those  in  Tennessee  from  the  battle  of  Mur- 
freesboro, — but  throughout  having  been  carried 
on  under  his  able  administration.  His  last  charge 
was  at  Camp  Dermison,  Ohio,  out  of  the  chaos 
of  which  he  brought  order  and  an  honest  solution 
of  affairs.  When  General  Cox  was  elected  gov- 
ernor of  Ohio  he  appointed  Dr.  McDermont  sur- 
geon-general of  the  state,  an  office  that  ended 
with  the  winding  up  of  the  war.  As  a  merited 
recognition  of  his  character  and  ability  Dr.  Mc- 
Dermont received  his  appointment  as  surgeon  of 
the  Home  from  the  Board  of  Managers  because 
eminently  qualified  to  discharge  the  duties  and 


DISABLED   VOLUNTEER   SOLDIERS.  241 

carry  forward  the  humane  design  of  the  institution 
founded  in  the  wisdom,  justice,  and  generosity  of 
the  Government  for  the  benefit  of  its  patriotic  and 
now  suffering  defenders.  While  an  officer  of  the 
institution  Dr.  McDermont  participated  in  all  its 
celebrations  and  festivals,  never  failing  to  respond 
when  called  upon.  *  * 

Dr.  McDermout  served  continuously  at  the 
Central  Home  from  its  organization  until  Au- 
gust, 1874,  with  the  exception  of  fourteen  months 
spent  as  surgeon  of  the  Southern  Home  at  Hamp- 
ton, Virginia.  « 

CAPTAIN  A.  P.  WOODRUFF. 

Although  not  actively  engaged  at  present  in 
the  affairs  of  the  Home,  this  brief  sketch  of 
Captain  Woodruff  is  added  as  a  tribute  justly 
due  to  one  who  has  won  the  esteem  and  admira- 
tion of  all  who  have  ever  been  connected  with  the 
institution.  While  an  officer  in  the  Home  his 
transactions  were  characterized  by  all  those  manly 
attributes  that  have  won  him  that  good  name, 
which  is  rather  to  be  chosen  than  great  riches. 
So  fair,  upright,  and  honorable  has  been  his  course 
that  when  no  longer  able  to  perform  the  duties  of 
his  office  by  reason  of  grievous  affliction,  the  Board 
of  Managers,  with  that  magnanimity  of  soul 
which  has  ev^r  characterized  its  actions,  as  an 


242  THE   NATIONAL  HOME   FOR 

appreciation  of  his  valuable  services,  invited  Cap- 
tain Woodruff  and  his  family  to  continue  their 
residence  in  the  Home  and  partake  of  its  hospi- 
tality. All  who  know  anything  of  Captain  "Wood- 
ruff* will  rejoice  in  the  provision  thus  made  for 
his  comfort. 

Captain  Woodruff  is  a  native  of  Vermont.  In 
the  summer  of  1862  he  responded  to  his  country's 
call  by  enlisting  as  a  private  in  the  seventy-fourth 
regiment  of  Illinois  volunteer  infantry.  He  aft- 
erward served  as  hospital  steward  in  the  United 
States  army,  but  was  discharged  in  1865  on  ac- 
count of  disability.  He  was  one  of  the  early  of- 
ficers of  the  Central  Home,  being  appointed  sec- 
retary in  1867.  Subsequently  he  filled  the  position 
of  steward,  the  duties  appertaining  to  which  he 
performed  until  November,  1872,  when  he  was 
compelled  to  resign  on  account  of  irreparable  loss 
of  health. 

Since  the  above  was  written  this  excellent  man 
passed  from  earth,  loved  and  revered  by  all  who 
knew  him.  One  of  his  last  requests  was  to  be 
laid  to  rest  in  the  soldiers'  cemetery  at  the  Home, 
and  now  he  sleeps  peacefully  with  the  men  for 
whom  he  labored  so  faithfully. 

DR.  S.  K.  TOWLE, 
Formerly  surgeon  of  the  North-western  Home  at 


DISABLED   VOLUNTEER   SOLDIERS.  243 

Milwaukee,  was  transferred  to  the  Central  Home 
April,  1872,  and  served  as  surgeon  until  July, 
1873,  when  he  resigned. 

Dr.  Towle  on  resigning  his  position  as  surgeon 
made  an  extended  visit  to  Europe  in  the  interest 
of  his  profession,  and  on  his  return  located  in  his 
former  field  of  practice — Ilaverhill,  Massachusetts. 
The  doctor  can  point  to  a  splendid  army  record, 
he  having  served  in  the  first  Massachusetts  heavy 
artillery  as  assistant-surgeon  until  February,  1862, 
when  he  was  promoted  to  surgeon  and  assigned 
to  the  thirtieth  regiment  Massachusetts  infantry, 
in  which  he  served  until  the  regiment  was  mus- 
tered out  of  service.  During  his  service  the 
doctor  had  charge  of  several  large  army  hospi- 
tals in  the  field. 

He  made  a  most  favorable  impression  upon  the 
Board  of  Managers,  the  officers,  and  the  veterans 
of  the  Home,  being  considered  not  only  a  skill- 
ful surgeon  but  a  pleasant  and  accomplished  gen- 
tleman. On  his  retirement  the  hospital  employees 
and  patients  made  him  the  recipient  of  a  beautiful 
gold  medal,  unique  in  its  design,  as  an  expression 
of  their  love  and  esteem  for  him. 

CAPTAIN  WILLIAM  H.  LOUGH. 
Captain    Lough    was    appointed   secretary   of 
the     Central     Home      September,     1870,     and 
served  until   September,    1873,    when    he    was 


244  THE   NATIONAL   HOME    FOR 

transferred  to  the  North- western  Home  at  Mil- 
waukee, Wisconsin,  where  he  fills  his  position 
with  great  acceptability. 

Captain  Lough  entered  the  army  very  early  in 
the  war,  and  served  gallantly  with  the  second  In- 
diana cavalry  regiment  and  lost  an  arm  in  battle. 
Notwithstanding  this  great  loss,  he  entered  the 
one  hundred  and  thirteenth  Ohio  regiment  and 
was  commissioned  captain,  and  performed  the 
duties  of  United  States  recruiting  officer.  He 
was  in  every  sense  a  good  and  true  soldier,  an 
earnest  patriot,  serving  his  country  from  con- 
scientious motives.  Captain  Lough  was  a  resident 
of  Eaton,  Preble  County,  Ohio,  when  appointed 
an  officer  in  the  Home. 

MAJOR  EDWARD  EVERETT  TRACY. 

Major  Tracy  was  the  first  deputy-governor  of 
the  Central  Home,  having  been  appointed  March, 
1867,  and  served  until  June,  1868,  when  he  died 
of  wounds  received  in  action.  He  enlisted  as  a 
private  soldier  on  the  first  day  of  the  war,  and  by 
acts  of  bravery  rose  to  the  rank  of  captain.  He 
served  for  some  time  as  brigade  inspector  and 
mustering  officer  on  the  staff  of  General  Blley, 
then  commanding  the  first  brigade  third  division 
twenty-third  corps.  At  the  battle  of  Eesacca  he 
was  wounded  in  the  breast  while  gallantly  doing 


DISABLED   VOLUNTEER 'SOLDIERS.  245 

his  duty  in  that  memorable  fight.  He  afterward 
served  on  the  staff'  of  General  J.  D.  Cox,  who 
spoke  in  the  highest  terms  of  his  gallantry  in 
battle.  His  health  failed  rapidly,  making  it  nec- 
essary for  him  to  seek  the  climate  of  Minnesota. 
Finding  no  relief  he  returned,  able  only  to  reach 
Cincinnati,  where  under  the  kind  care  of  his  much- 
loved  commander,  General  Cox,  he  died  at  the 
early  age  of  twenty-five  years.  His  remains,  un- 
der the  care  of  Chaplain  Earnshaw,  were  taken 
to  the  home  of  his  youth,  where  amid  the  ex- 
pressions of  admiration  and  great  sorrow  he  was 
buried  with  military  honors. 

GENERAL  TIMOTHY  INGRAHAM. 

General  In  graham  was  ordered  to  report  as 
governor  of  the  Central  Home  in  December,  1867, 
and  continued  in  service  for  one  year,  when  he 
was  relieved  by  Colonel  E.  F.  Brown,  the  present 
governor,  January  1, 1869. 

General  Ingraham  entered  the  service  as  lieu- 
tenant-colonel of  the  eighteenth  regiment  Mas- 
sachusetts volunteers,  August,  1861,  and  was  pro- 
moted to  be  colonel  of  the  thirty-eighth  regiment 
Massachusetts  volunteers,  August,  1862 ;  was  made 
assistant  provost  marshal  general  at  Washington, 
and  served  in  that  capacity  until  the  close  of  the 
war.  General  Ingraham  was  a  most  genial  gen- 
tleman, and  is  remembered  with  the  kindliest 


246  THE   NATIONAL   HOME    FOR 

feelings  by  all  who  had  the  pleasure  of  his  ac- 
quaintance at  the  Home. 

THE  NON-COMMISSIONED    STAFF. 

The  men  selected  to  fill  responsible  positions  in 
the  Home  are  as  follows,  with  the  exception  of 
those  elsewhere  named  in  this  work  : 

Captain  E.  C.  Nichols  fills  the  position  of  chief 
ward-master  at  the  hospital.  Then  follows  the 
sergeants  of  barracks : 


Bks.  i.  Silas  Crowell. 

'  2.  Rudolph  Heintz. 

'  3.  Daniel  Williams, 

1  4.  Richard  Dunn. 

'  5.  Lewis  J.  Jones. 

'  6.  Edwin  K.  Crebbin. 

'  7.  Andrew  Kennedy. 

'  8.  Jean  H.  Willener. 

'  9.  James  M.  Larkin. 


Bks  10.  Joseph  R.  Keene. 

11.  Emil  Wilde. 

12.  David  W.  Carr. 

13.  Lafayette  Knapp. 

14.  Burgess  E.  Blackmeir 

15.  Francis  J.  Amory. 

16.  Moses  Thannhauser. 
Band.     George  M.  Hanley. 


These  men  are  intrusted  by  the  governor  with 
m  ich  of  the  details  of  governing  and  providing 
for  the  men  of  the  Home.  They  are  entitled  to 
great  credit  for  the  manner  in  which  they  have 
discharged  the  varied  duties  of  the  offices  they  fill. 
Some  of  them  have  held  commissions  in  the  vol- 
unteer army,  and  nearly  all  of  them  were  wounded 
in  the  lii.e  of  the  duty.  To  these  might  be  added 
the  large  ti umber  of  men  who  serve  as  clerks,  and 
many  others  who  render  most  valuable  service  to 
the  institution.  Indeed,  it  would  be  a  heart-felt 


DISABLED   VOLUNTEER   SOLDIERS.  247 

pleasure  to  the  writer  to  name  every  veteran  that 
now  enjoys  the  rest  afforded  by  the  Home ;  but 
that  would  be  impossible  in  this  volume. 

All  honor  to  the  man  who  dared  to  face  an  en- 
emy like  ours,  and  shed  his  blood  or  peril  his 
health  and  worldly  prospects  in  defense  of  our 
common  country. 

"THE   BROWN  GUARD." 

Since  this  history  was  begun  a  new  and  very 
interesting  feature  has  been  introduced  by  a  num- 
ber of  the  enterprising  men  of  the  Home,  namely, 
the  organization  of  a  military  company.  The 
reader  will  say,  How  can  disabled  men  play  sol- 
dier? The  answer  is,  that  they  are  brimming 
over  with  military  zeal.  They  know  just  how  to 
do  it ;  and  further,  they  love  it  with  an  ardor  tbat 
is  wonderful  to  behold.  True,  they  may  march 
with  unsteady  step,  and  hold  the  familiar  musket 
with  trembling  hand  in  man}r  instances,  but  they 
are  every  inch  soldiers.  The  old  fire  kindles  in 
the  eye,  showing  the  real  pluck,  and  to-day  they 
would  do  telling  service  in  battle.  Wounds,  dis- 
ease, and  exposure  in  camp  and  on  the  march, 
may  do  much  to  break  the  old  veteran  down,  but 
vain  is  any  effort  to  drive  the  soldier  out  of  him. 
Even  when  old  age  comes  upon  him  he  is  glad  to 
entertain  little  children  who,  with  wondering 


248  THE  NATIONAL    HOME. 

eyes,  look  upon  him  "as  he  shoulders  his  crutch 
and  fights  his  battles  o'er  again." 

It  would  be  vain  to  attempt  an  estimate  of  the 
real  pleasure  this  organization  will  give  to  the  old 
vets  in  the  Home.  The  frequent  parades  and 
drills  will  be  prized  by  them  beyond  expression, 
and  will  take  precedence  of  all  other  entertain- 
ments. This  splendid  company  has  been  named 
"The  Brown  Guard,"  in  honor  of  Col.  E.  F. 
Brown,  the  excellent  governor  of  the  Home. 

The  officers,  commissioned  and  non-commis- 
sioned, are  as  follows : 

Captain — J.  H.  Chapman. 
First  Lieutenant— -J.  H.  Willener. 
Second  Lieutenant — Jas.M.  Bermingham. 
First  Sergeant — Martin  Allen. 
Second  Sergeant — John  M.  Beck. 
Third  Sergeant — Andrew  J.  Kennedy. 
Fourth  Serge&nt — Martin  Schlieff. 
Fifth  Sergeant—  George  W.  Day. 

They  are  armed  and  equipped  as  follows  :  Full 
dress,  United  States  artillery  uniforms;  breach- 
loading  rifles,  same  as  now  used  by  the  United 
States  army.  The  company  now  numbers  about 
one  hundred  men. 

Many  other  ir  teresting  features  of  this  national 
institution  might  be  recorded,  but  this  book  has 
already  grown  beyond  the  original  plan.  The 
writer  will  conclude  with  the  wish  that  its  pages 
may  interest  all  who  may  peruse  them. 


- 


14  DAY  USE 

RETURN  TO  DESK  FROM  WHICH  BORROWED 

LOAN  DEPT. 

This  book  is  due  on  the  last  date  stamped  below,  or 

on  the  date  to  which  renewed. 
Renewed  books  are  subject  to  immediate  recall. 

T 


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General  Library 

University  of  California 

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